Chapter one: Meeting
Orochimaru let his eyes travel over his soon-to-be-body, sweat covered the ivory skin, sliding down a perfectly toned chest as would a lover's caress. Inky hair concealed the perfect features but soon two red eyes locked on Orochimaru. A long shiver ran down his spine at the sight, such power, such perfection all soon to be his.
"Sasuke-kun, you're making incredible progress."
"Seems like seeing Naruto-kun made your starving for power stron…"
Kabuto didn't finish his sentence; Sasuke's hand had closed around his neck.
"Tsk tsk tsk Sasuke-kun, don't be so ill tempered. Since you're still up for more, how about learning a new Jutsu?"
Kabuto fell to the ground, slowly massaging his throat. He was no match for Sasuke. The boy was getting dangerous! How couldn't Orochimaru see it?
"I heard Naruto can summon frogs, even that king frog Bunta… how about summoning snakes, Sasuke-kun?"
The glittering in the teen's eyes said it all. Slowly with his natural grace he came near the Sanin, letting him smell his sent. Orochimaru licked his lips, savouring this rare moment of intimacy, dark eyes were waiting for him to continue.
"Write your name with your blood on this scroll."
Sasuke bent over and bit one of his fingers, letting the blood flow. For a few moments he just stared at his own blood slowly drip on the scroll. Orochimaru fought the urge to lick the blood and taste the Uchiha bloodline merely letting his hand cup Sasuke's shoulder, his finger brushing the soft skin. His student allowed it and wrote his name in strong and sharp, accurate Kanji, perfectly drawn.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" (Summoning no Jutsu)
Clouds masked everything and then, under the gaze of the two Sound nin, the fog dissipated to show a gigantic snake, Manda. Sasuke hadn't called one of the lesser snakes; he had directly summoned the King.
"Orochimaru! Why did you call me?"
"He didn't," answered a cool voice.
With dangerous accuracy, the snake's glare turned to the standing Uchiha, its tail already wrapping around his body, yet without touching him.
"And who are you, scum, to dare talk to me?"
"Your master."
Kabuto slapped his head with his palm. God. You could trust Sasuke to anger Manda. Why couldn't the teen just be nice? Or why couldn't he just do normal things like everybody else? Like calling a lesser snake first!
Orochimaru snickered softly. Sasuke was stronger than planned, so much stronger. How would Manda react to the proud Uchiha? How long would it take for him to faint? He had drained all his chakra it was a wonder that he was still standing.
"My master?" hissed Manda, his fangs coming to view.
The snake's breath made Sasuke's hair fly softly. The huge body had closed in a little more around the teen, ready to crush him.
"Yes, Manda, your master, shall I say it again?" asked Sasuke, his red eyes locked on Manda's. The three comas were slowly turning, showing his anger.
"How dare you! Orochimaru! You will pay for this! An offering won't be enough this time!" hissed the snake while trapping Sasuke in a deathly embrace, crushing his frail body.
"Who are you talking to? I'm the one in charge here!" snapped an icy voice, dripping poisonous anger.
"And what is your name? It would be a pity for me to kill you without knowing it" asked Manda, turning its head to see his opponent.
A sharp pain seared through Manda. The dark-haired teen had leapt on top of its curled body, digging his blade through it. The red glare was full of loathing, anger, and pride. No traces of fear or courtesy. Unlike Orochimaru, this man wouldn't give him an offering. He wouldn't lower himself in exchange of its services. For Manda it was like looking into its own eyes and yet he could see hidden emotions, a destroyed mind slowly shattering and on the verge of madness, still fighting, never surrendering… someone that expected nothing and had nothing left to lose.
"Sasuke Uchiha. If someone is going to die here, it will be you, snake."
Kabuto was worried. He could see the black hair sticking to Sasuke's sweaty forehead and the trembling of his muscles. The Uchiha was going too far, he wouldn't be able to fight. He would collapse in less than one minute. What was Orochimaru thinking?
Slowly Sasuke's tight grip on his sword slackened and his eyes turned back to endless pools of black. He was falling. Manda caught Sasuke with the end of its tail. With great amusement he watched the eyes fell close and the body go limp, completely at its mercy.
Manda let the teen fall in his embrace, cupping him softly. His sleeping face was calm, as if he hadn't just fallen asleep in the middle of a fight. No worries marked the cold features. The Uchiha had known he had won the moment Manda had asked his name. Therefore he had allowed weariness to claim him.
"An interesting student you've got here, Orochimaru," pointed out Manda while handing Sasuke back to the Sanin.
"Don't get too attached. He will become my new body."
Orochimaru knew he had a problem when Manda didn't reply. He had made a mistake letting Sasuke summon Manda. The snake preferred him to Orochimaru. Never had he expected for Sasuke to tame Manda so easily.
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Naruto awoke in the middle of the night. Kakashi-sensei and Yamato-taichou were still asleep; they had exhausted themselves training him. Slowly he left the training ground. He wasn't stupid enough to train alone, without someone to keep Kyubi in check. He just needed to a small break.
There he was standing on the valley of the end where he had fought Sasuke, trying to convince him to stay. Where he had lost and broken a promise. With shaking fingers he traced the hole they had made on the ground. The memory was still vivid in his mind.
Naruto laid on the exact same spot where Sasuke had left him alive. Why hadn't he been able to stop him? Why hadn't he been able to bring him back? Even after two years he was still so useless. Sasuke had been so cold. He had seen the Kyubi and faced him. He had tried to kill him again.
Sasuke hadn't seemed surprised by the fox. He hadn't had look disgusted. He had accepted him as always. But, maybe now he wouldn't see Naruto as a worthy opponent anymore. After all, without the Kyubi he had no real power. But that would change!
Bastard, cold hearted, uncaring… all those words, those judgments where false. Naruto knew how nice Sasuke really was. He had seen right through him, even forced him to show some of his kindness. Maybe that was what had scared Sasuke.
A small chuckle escaped Naruto. People would wonder if he hadn't hit his head, but no he had lots of examples to prove Sasuke's kindness. When he had tied him up, Sasuke hadn't beaten the crap out of him afterwards. Naruto learned from Sakura that Sasuke had actually sided with him (Naruto hadn't told her that the first time it had been him).
During Kakashi's exams, Sasuke had been the one with the idea of sharing his food with Naruto. He had protected him from Haku. During the Chunin exams he had helped Sakura regain her confidence. He had helped Naruto by putting himself in danger. There were so many examples that he could go on and on.
When Itachi had come back Sasuke had been worried about Naruto. Even while being consumed by hatred and revenge, Sasuke had been worried about him. People had heard him muttering that he couldn't stand a chance and yet that meeting had destroyed everything.
Sighing Naruto stood up, planning to head back but he stopped dead in his tracks. He could feel something very familiar.
"Oy, fox, is-it…"
"Oh? You noticed? Usually you're not so perceptive."
"Where? How far? Tell me!"
Naruto dashed, his mind clouded by the hope, the incredible hope that he had come back. He passed the two guardians, quiet and useless. He left Konoha and went deep within the forest, following the small felling that became a scent, Sasuke's.
He was very far from Konoha's border now. Cautious he masked his chakra and travelled slowly. He couldn't afford a mistake. He had to be careful. Finally the scent was distinct. It was coming from a small clearing. In the middle stood an unmistakable silhouette with dark hair, spiky at the back, too long on the front; a white kimono, open to let a well-shaped torso show through; dark trousers, a violet knot and a sword glittering under the moonlight.
The moon seemed eager to shower and reveal each part of this stunning body. Naruto felt his breath catch in his throat at the sight when red eyes bored right through his mind.
"Missed me?"
Naruto stood frozen on the spot. Sasuke hadn't moved from the clearing a small smile tugged at his lips. Naruto could still hear Sasuke's deep voice ringing in his head.
Not thinking Naruto jumped off from his tree and without breaking eye contact went to face Sasuke. If he wanted to the Uchiha could have brushed his nose with the tip of his sword.
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