Chapter One:
Four years. Nothing in Konoha ever changed. Everything remained the same. Children were born. People died. Wars ravaged the lands. The sun rose and it set. Just like it always had been. A sad and predictable rhythm. A tedious and uneventful dance towards the inevitable.
For all the people he had met-all the shinobi he had gathered information on-one thing stood out glaringly clear to him: they were all afraid of change. Not a single one could see beyond personal glory or revenge, thinly veiled as village or clan pride. A catalogue of useless fools. Why Orochimaru was so certain that he'd find his answers there was beyond him. He doubted that it was anything to do with sentimentality or nostalgia. As much as the Sennin tried to make it seem like his plans were carefully organized, Kabuto knew it was nothing more than his lord's whims. The simple desire to provoke. To prod. To observe. To experiment. Revenge against the Hokage was only a bonus. A prize he could boast once he was through with his game.
A deadly game, Kabuto himself had chosen to partake in. One he had no intention of losing.
"Are you so sure this is what you want?"
Orochimaru's smile could be dangerously seductive.
"To destroy the village that took you in as one of their own?"
"I've never been one of them, Lord Orochimaru."
"You told me once that you would follow me no matter where that path should lead. How far are you willing to go, Kabuto?"
"All the way, Lord Orochimaru."
Such words always placated the Snake Sennin, but in this case they were true. While he knew that Orochimaru was only entertaining him at the moment-both out of questioning loyalty and a lack of anything better to do-Kabuto found that his replies, no matter how calculated, were always honest when it came to him. Even when the Sennin was trying to toy with him like a cat playing with its prey.
"You intrigue me, Kabuto. Why is it that you choose to stay with me?"
"Because I want to."
"Is that all?"
With languid movements, the snake lord came up behind him. Hands caressing his chest. Sliding up his shirt. Nails lightly brushing the sensitive skin there. Kabuto commanded his body not to arch into the attention. He would not be seduced. Would not be claimed in such a manner. That was not his purpose here.
Yet he could understand how easily others had given into Orochimaru's will.
"Are you nervous, Kabuto? There's no shame in enjoying yourself."
"Perhaps not. But all the same, I feel this is neither the time nor the place."
Clearly, Orochimaru was not used to rejection. Kabuto felt himself shoved roughly against the wall. The Sennin's tone became predatory.
"You know I could simply take what I want from you."
His tongue smacked wetly against his captive's cheek.
"But you won't, will you? It wouldn't be satisfying for you to force me against my will."
No. Kabuto had witnessed the ways in which Orochimaru procured his victims. The man was a master of seduction. Of temptation. Of false hopes and promises. And once his web was spun, it was impossible to get free. Flattery. Soft words. Feathery touches that, he hated to admit were starting to cause his skin to tingle with an intense flush. These were his most powerful weapons.
Orochimaru withdrew from him. The sudden break of contact left Kabuto both relieved and yet oddly disappointed.
"You are so perceptive, Kabuto. That's why I have a proposal for you."
The younger man eyed him skeptically.
"What kind of proposal?"
"You're different from the others. You see things that they do not. I want you to help me plan our next attack. I want your input and insight."
Is that all?
He was offering him the position of adviser, yet this was the first time he'd been allowed in Orochimaru's private quarters. The first time, in fact, he'd even been allowed to visit the secret Sound Village. Surely, this was another game. A test. Orochimaru did not give his trust so easily.
So that's what his advances had been about.
Why did the fact that the Sennin had attempted to gain his favour through sex irk him so much? He knew by now to expect nothing less from the man. Master manipulator that he was. But the sting that Orochimaru would believe he'd fall for such deceit burned deep.
Or had he actually believed for one brief moment that the Sennin had found him attractive?
"I'll gladly offer you my services, Lord Orochimaru. If you deem them helpful to our goals."
I admire you greatly. But I will not grant you the one thing that is mine alone. You will not have that kind of control over me.
Orochimaru licked his lips.
"Wonderful. I knew I could count on you, Kabuto."
No you didn't. You still don't. But you will.