Sound

AN: Whew. This week was busy, and this emotional stuff takes waaay too many rewrites, even when I know exactly what I want to happen. Also, please forgive the random Japanese curses. I wasn't sure what level of swearing was allowed at this rating, so I translated a couple words to be sure.

Anyways, hope you guys like this one too!

XxXxX

One moment, Sasuke's pinned to a wall, agony radiating from his wrist, watching the pinwheels in his brother's eyes begin to spin. The next, he's not.

It's not red and black and pain that greet him, though. No, he's greeted by a different view of the alley, and Shikako's screams. Sasuke looks up just in tome to see his brother that man drops his shrieking teammate to the dirty ground like so much trash. He doesn't have time to be outraged by this, though, because Jiraiya arrives and that man and his partner make their escape.

Shikako is screaming.

Naruto makes it to her side first. He cradles her head in his lap only to realize there is nothing he can do. Jiraiya takes over, then. He has Naruto splint Sasuke's wrist while he examines Shikako. Bystanders are beginning to take note of what's going on in the Alley. Jiraiya finally decides to knock the poor girl our to put her out of her misery.

Shikako keeps screaming.

Maito Gai arrives far, far too late. Naruto and Jiraiya must keep looking for Tsunade; she's the only one that can heal Sasuke's precious people team members. Gai will take him and Shikako back to the village. They may or may not be able to heal her, but the Konoha Hospital is the only place Shikako has a chance. Gai scoops Shikako up in his arms (not on his back; there's no way for the girl to hang on there) and drives a relentless pace back to Konoha. Sasuke gives everything he has and still only just keeps up, but he doesn't complain.

Shikako's still screaming.

It turns out the hospital can't do much. They strap Shikako down to a bed, coat her throat in chakra, and tell him to hope time will heal things. Gai doesn't even lecture him when they finally leave the hospital. Sasuke walks back to his empty compound alone. He doesn't sleep that night.

Shikako's screams echo in his ears.

XxXxX

"She doesn't have the Sharingan," Tsunade is cautioning him as she lays her hands on Shikako. "Without that filter, it's possible she'll never wake up. Just… give it some time."

Time. Time. Always time! Sasuke doesn't have patience for this anymore.

Tsunade keeps trying, for the next couple of weeks, to no avail. When Shikako's body starts wasting away despite the medics' best efforts, her family decides to call it. Shikako gets a beautiful funeral in the Nara plot, but the village elders refuse to add her name to the memorial stone because, "it would set a bad example." Teams Seven and Ten get into more than one screaming match with them over it, to no avail. Sasuke goes to the funeral for Shikako's sake. He doesn't linger. He can't bear to be near the Nara Clan right now.

Kakashi finds him, after, in a tree by their training ground.

"It's not your fault, you know."

"Hn." But he believes Kakashi, for the most part. It's not his fault. That man is at fault. He killed Shikako. But. He killed Shikako to hurt him. To make sure that Sasuke understood that he couldn't bring others into his vendetta without forfeiting their lives too. He killed Shikako because Sasuke's still weak, and to make sure Sasuke understands that it's no longer acceptable. Sasuke has to get stronger. Now.

XxXxX

When Orochimaru's minions come, he doesn't even hesitate.

"Let me grab my things."

He doesn't need much. Just his travel pack, a few choice Uchiha artifacts, and one last look at his photos of Team Seven with Mangekyou eyes.

XxXxX

No Sakura on a bench means no alarm gets raised until it's far too late. They make a clean escape back to Sound, though they're still too late for an immediate body transfer. Kimimaru and the Sound Four, having not lost their lives to Konoha's retrieval squad, end up as Sasuke's sparring mates as his training progresses. They perish for it. Sasuke feels nothing, but not for the reasons he might have otherwise.

This is not a Sasuke who has turned his back on his village and precious people in single-minded pursuit of vengeance. No, this Sasuke's Will of Fire still burns bright, despite how it's been twisted. Sasuke seeks power to protect as much to avenge, and that makes all the difference.

Orochimaru and his minions are a threat to Konoha, so he has no qualms about destroying them when he has a chance. Let Orochimaru think him heartless. Likewise, this Sasuke will not give Orochimaru his body, no matter how much Sasuke pretends otherwise. He won't risk strengthening the man, vengeance be damned. He's seen the madman toss Naruto around like a hindrance. He'd felt how the Snake's influence made him hurt Shikako.

And there's another thing. Sasuke has forewarning of the seal's effects, the protection from influence offered by the Mangekyou Sharingan, and a specific resolve against its control. He activates the seal only as much as he must to remain above suspicion. All this adds up to a much clearer head than Orochimaru could possibly anticipate.

The time for the body transfer jutsu is rapidly approaching, and Sasuke's just about ready to make his move. He's just waiting for the opportune moment. Finding her again only moves up his timetable a little.

XxXxX

Sasuke's face is carefully blank as he follows Kabuto on his inspection of the newest 'delivery.' He's had long practice at concealing the horror and disgust that roils in his gut as this batch of toddlers-and-younger gets sorted for experimentation like chattel. No, like tools. Ingredients.

Naruto would be outraged. His teammate has no head for subtlety, for playing the long game, or prioritizing. When confronted by an injustice like this, he would already be doing something. It's one of the special things that makes Naruto such a world-shaker.

Sasuke is not Naruto, though, and the world does not shake and reform at his feet. He'll be happy just to defend his own little corner, never mind remaking it. Children or no, these are not Sasuke's precious people. Said precious people need him to keep his cover– though they don't know it – so he will. The children are too young to understand their own suffering anyways, he tells himself.

Kabuto is scribbling furiously on the clipboard of what is apparently a particularly interesting specimen when Sasuke sees it. There's a purposeful movement in the corner of his eye. The sight is familiar enough that Sasuke almost jerks towards it out of habit. Luckily, his awful surroundings are omnipresent enough to suppress even that half-automatic response. Instead, he affects an air of boredom, letting his eyes drift around the room with a deliberate casualness.

The motion is being generated by a small toddler's hand gestures – gestures his subconscious had been drilled into responding to. Moreover, his scan is slow enough to confirm that they are not just Konoha hand signs, but Team Seven hand signs. Sasuke, Naruto and Shikako has spent months working out their special, efficient variations while they waited for Kakashi's perpetually tardy self to arrive. The three of them were the only ones who could possibly use or recognize the particular S.O.S. pattern this little girl keeps repeating.

Sasuke's heart rate picks up, just a bit. Somehow, this child is associated with his team. Have they found him? Is she their contact? Did someone take the information from Naruto somehow?

He has to know.

Sasuke allows the air of boredom he has been maintaining to slip into annoyance, even anger. He's known for his impatience and quick temper. It's not so unusual for him to be frustrated with this. Neither is it strange when he activates his Sharingan with a particularly exasperated huff.

Now he can see everything, even just from the corner of his eye. The girl seems to realize this as she begins – discretely – expanding on her message.

need-help-but-give-too

that set means.

escape-together-must. little-time

that combo says. Sasuke maneuvers himself into a position where he can respond to her without drawing attention to himself.

copy. why? need-convince. who-you?

friend-ally. comrade.

how-know-Seven-hands?

At this, the little girl hesitates. His scowl is not entirely faked by this point. Finally, she let out a quiet little sigh.

hands-not-enough-report. talk-later-words?

He's not happy with it, but she's looks so earnest he doesn't press. Slowly – they have to keep out of Kabuto's line of sight as he putters about – Sasuke gives her a little more information about her situation and agrees to come back for her later. When Kabuto declares his work done for now ("Finally!" he makes sure to mutter.) He sends one last

be-ready

and follows the medic-nin out. He still catches her

stay-safe

just before he leaves.

XxXxX

Sasuke often takes walks through the base in the middle of the night. Insomnia, he says. He's not lying, but the chance to scope out as much of Orochimaru's operations as possible isn't a bad bonus. Who knew so many of the habits he had developed to gain information or irritate people would be so useful in working with an accomplice?

A few adjustments to the security feeds gets him into the research labs; a low-level genjustu keeps the other children in cages asleep. The child he seeks is startled awake by the flare of his chakra.

"You came!" She whispers excitedly. He unlocks her cage, and grabs her by her wrists.

"You said you'd tell me why you know Team Seven's unique signal code."

"I… did say that."

"Then talk."

"I… you're not going to believe me. It sounds ridiculous. I don't even know where to start-"

"Talk," he grinds out, squeezing her arms a little tighter.

"Do you believe in reincarnation?"

"What?"

"Reincarnation. Rebirth. Getting tossed back into the world of the living as someone else. Just… remembering your old life."

He can't keep the incredulity out of his voice when he asks, "Are you saying you're Shikako?"

"Yes"

"Don't lie to me!" He shakes her little body. "Don't you dare lie about that!"

"You thought I was a plant before. During the Chuunin exams. I missed my three-day check-in, then showed up, late and dissociated. You asked about Team Seven's 'No Dying' rule. I told you about Naruto's bridge and the heaven scroll from the second exam and the bell test, and that's all I could think of on the fly. We had lunch and I argued against emotionless shinobi. I couldn't train that day, but the next time I was healthy again and I beat you in our first three races-"

"Okay, okay, I believe you." A pause, while Sasuke catches up with what he's saying. He almost drops her. "Kuso. I believe you… Shikako… oh kami…"

"Hey, it's okay. Everything's okay. I'm here now, we can still fix everything." She continues her soothing litany for several moments, while Sasuke's world realigns itself.

She's alive. Shikako's alive. Shikako's alive and she's here. Oh, kami. She's here, in Orochimaru's clutches. She could be tortured or cut open or killed at any moment. What is he going to do?

He's still not completely shaken off the shock and horror when he realizes what people would think if they knew the big bad Uchiha heir was letting a three-year comfort him. He forces himself to shake off her assurances and get down to business.

"You're right. We can still fix everything." She offers him a weak smile.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes."

"Good, then I can do this."

She smacks his head. He blinks at her in surprise.

"You stupid idiot!" She hisses. "Why are you with Orochimaru? I thought we talked about this back before…"

"You died!" He's breathing heavily. She has to understand. He has to make her understand. "You died, because of my weakness. I needed to be strong and his was the fastest path to power!"

"A path that could have ruined your future! That could have killed you!"

"I didn't care!" he snaps out.

She looks up at him, and says softly. "Oh, Sasuke… I'm so sorry."

How can she say sorry to him? She was tortured because of him. Killed by his brother. Reborn to an awful life in Rice Country as a test subject for Sound's perverse science experiments. She's suffered so much; he'd have counted himself lucky just to help her out of here, never mind for her to forgive him. But instead she blows past that to the point she's sorry?

He doesn't understand. Can't comprehend what she's thinking at all. He doesn't respond, just hold her tight, for a few minutes longer.

XxXxX

The next day, he gets sent on mission for Orochimaru, so he can't come again for a few nights. Shikako's not slated to be used as a test subject for anything particularly nasty for a while – he checked – so they decide he should hold his cover a little bit longer.

Orochimaru listens to Sasuke's report, but his eyes are only for the Uchiha's body. Given how pointless, but difficult, this last mission was, it had to have been more of a test than anything. Orochimaru's just about ready to take his body. Sasuke's not going to let that happen.

The real question Sasuke's wrangling with is, does he take Orochimaru out, or does he just grab Shikako and run? The Snake Sannin is sickly now. It's the best time to take him down. But. Shikako is here, and nearly defenseless. Fighting a sannin with one of his precious people to defend would normally strengthen him. Purposefully putting his teammate in danger, though…

"If you think I'll be a problem, leave me here. It's probably better to get me after anyways; keep your cover intact longer."

She's not wrong. Leaving her here will keep her out of danger, and give Orochimaru fewer chances to be forewarned that something's up. Still, there're so many things that could go wrong and he can't defend her if they separate again. It makes him extremely averse to parting with her, though she eventually talks him into it.

"Take this," she says as they move on to planning. She rips a strip from the bottom of her shirt. He's confused, until she flips it over and he can see the seal she'd painted in her blood on the back of them. "Paralysis seal. Clamp down on your killing intent and you might get close enough to slap this on him. It'll increase your chances of getting out without raising the alarm, at least."

He shakes his head vehemently. "No. You should take it. It'll give you a chance in case something goes wrong."

"Not likely. Even if I take down the first person that comes after me, that'll just bring everyone else down on my head. I have my touch blasts, if everything devolves into a brawl, but it's better for you to take this and keep your fight quiet than for me to have a one-shot contingency."

Sasuke reluctantly agrees. They hash out a few more details and contingencies, then Sasuke finds himself locking his teammate back into her cage. Just thinking about what he's doing, leaving her like this, makes him feel guilty. He ruthlessly stomps it down. This is necessary; even Shikako thinks so. He'll be back by tomorrow, and then everything will be fine. Great, even. He refuses to consider otherwise.

be-careful. see-soon.

she signs as she goes. He sends back,

promise. you-too.

and slips back out the door.

XxXxX

With her seals, and a plan, killing the Snake Sannin is almost disgustingly easy. He can't believe he gave three years of his life to this man.

XxXxX

Shikako's cage is empty when he comes to collect her afterwards. His heart practically stops. What went wrong?

"Where is she?" He rounds on the lab tech, sharingan blazing. The sweaty man drops his clipboard in fright. Sasuke clamps a hand around the man's neck so he's forced to look at Sasuke rather than pick it up. "Answer me!"

"W-who?"

"The girl! The little girl who's normally in this cage!"

"S-sample Two Nine S-seven Bee doesn't have the right blood type for this experiment. Kabuto S-senpai just took it as fodder to the new s-seal experiments."

Sasuke doesn't even take time to curse; he just throws the tech out of his way and dashes back down the hall to the Lab 14. This batch of improved seal experiments has a one hundred percent fatality rate so far. A one hundred percent rate of slow, agonizing death that cannot be stopped once the seal is applied and Shikako will suffer torturous death again and why is Sasuke even here if he still can't protect her. He can't lose her again.

He's not strong enough.

He bursts through the door and his eyes take in his screaming teammate (Shikako screams and screams and there's nothing they can do but shut her up and let her die.) struggling for all she's worth against Kabuto's grasp. Kabuto senses him. He drops Shikako and brings his arm up to block Sasuke's killing strike… but his arm isn't there anymore; replaced by fire and smoke. Sasuke sees Kabuto's eyes widen slightly before Sasuke's blow connects, tearing through the man's torso and ending the corrupt medic's life.

A quick glance at her assures Sasuke that Shikako is still seal-less. There's no time to appreciate that, though. This fight was not nearly as quiet as the last; the alarm will probably go up at any moment now. He scoops Shikako up onto his back and sprints back to the main corridor.

"We did it. We really did it." Little hands tighten their grip as he runs. "This is going to change everything… It wasn't all pointless." She's giggling softly, if not somewhat hysterically.

He's not sure what that means, exactly, so he makes a noncommittal "Hn." of agreement. "Now we just have to get home."

"Yes. Home." She sounds as happy as he feels.

XxXxX

"Shadow Clone Pile!"

Naruto intercepts them a little after they cross the border into Fire. Thank god for Naruto's tendency to shout his attacks and general lack of stealth. A pile of Naruto's could have easily crush Shikako before any of them even realized she was there. With his warning, Sasuke has plenty of time to take out the clones, and orient himself bodily between Shikako and Naruto.

"SASUKE! I'm bringing you home this time if you like it or not!"

"Okay! Fine! Just… stop… attacking… us!" Sasuke manages to get out with every parry.

"No! I won't stop! I'm going to make you come back- wait, what?"

"I said I'll come back with you, dobe. If Konoha will still have me. That's where we were headed anyways."

Naruto stops completely to stare dumbly. "You're coming back? Just like that?"

"Sort of? I mean, a lot of stuff has happened…"

Shikako peeks out from behind Sasuke's back to say, "There's three more coming in from the south-west. Presumably the unit Naruto's supposed to be a part of finally catching up."

"AAAAAAYEEEEEE!" Naruto points his finger and jumps into an accusatory squat. For all that he's taller and sadder, Naruto still has so much of his twelve-year-old self in him. "AND WHY THE HECK IS THERE A KID ON YOUR BACK, TEME?!" For the first time in a long time, Sasuke feels the urge to laugh. Naruto is just so… Naruto. He's missed this. By the slight chuckle in his ear, Shikako's missed it too.

"Calm down, dobe. She's one of the things that happened. We have a lot to tell you."

XxXxX

"SHE'S WHO?"