Naruto: Between Light and Darkness
Chapter 2: Snake Nest
- A/N -
"Sample" Human talking
'Sample' Human thinking
"Sample" someone putting extra meaning in a word
"Sample" Demon or demonic jinchūriki speaking
'Sample' Demon talking in a jinchūriki's head
The start of another chapter and I get to anwser some questions/complaints people have for me. (honestly I enjoy it so keep asking if something bothers you) First off Sakura's reaction in the last chapter seemed over the top to most it appears (got a few emails/reviews with polite complaints which I apretaite). I can only respond by asking if they have seen someone go into an emotional shock before, I have and it isn't pretty. The one time I saw it happen, a guy tried to throw himself out a window after hearing his brother had died. Like I said not pretty, so therefore, in my opinion at least, hearing that your first love just became one of your greatest enemies and killed one of your closest friends would be more then enough to send someone into shock (remember Sakura didn't know that Naruto had left with Sasuke, Kakashi left that out, he just said Naruto was "gone") and sense they are in shock logic/reason goes out the window. And second, to the three yaoi fan girls who messaged me about how this should be a yaoi story and how if I want to get any good reviews I better make it one (you know who you are) - WARNING entering rant mode - EXCUSE ME?! This is my story, I decide what it should and should not be! The people who make polite suggestion and have small complaints even get to decide what it should be to a certain extent! However, the second you try to tell me what it should be you lose that ability! You don't like it, read something else! Got it?! - Rant concluded - To everyone else who gave polite reviews/messages thank you and enjoy the next chapter. That is all...
- Otogakure -
Naruto glanced around at the village again. It was surprisingly simple. Houses, shops, and apartments all surrounded by a high defensive wall that was still low enough to be hidden in the trees. It didn't look that different from Konoha really. The only difference was the feel. The place felt harsher, rougher, and less forgiving then Konoha. This was a place where the weak died or were used, not like Konoha where the weak were protected.
"Almost there." Kabuto said.
Naruto sighed and glanced at Sasuke again. The raven haired boy hadn't spoken so much as two words since they entered the village. Naruto knew why too. They were being watched. Every street they went down the people would stare at them. Naruto wasn't sure why, maybe they just weren't used to outsiders, but the whole thing was unnerving.
AS they continued down the main street Naruto's acute hearing picked up something that sounded like a giggle from a ways behind them. He glanced over his shoulder and to his utter amazement spotted a group of girls following them. He grinned and nudged Sasuke. When the boy gave him a questioning look he pointed over his shoulder. The Uchiha took one look behind him and scowled.
"What the heck do they want?" He muttered.
"Beats me." Naruto responded.
He heard another giggle and glanced over his shoulder again. He could tell they were talking amongst themselves, but he couldn't hear what they were saying.
"Seems you have some admirers already." Kabuto noted with a grin.
Naruto blinked. "Admirers?"
"Hey, blondie!" He heard one of the girls call in a sultry voice. "Want to have some fun with me tonight?"
Naruto turned scarlet at the implications and started walking a little faster. The last thing he needed was a bunch of over aggressive kunoichi chasing after him. Sasuke scowled and started to turn to face the small group of girls to get rid of them.
He was cut off by another one of the girls. "Come on! Your friend can join in too. There is more then enough of us for both of you."
Sasuke whipped back around, his face nearly as red as Naruto's. "No shame at all." He muttered in disgust.
"Uh... Kabuto... can we move a little faster... I really don't feel like getting raped in the street..."
"Funny that you two picked up a fan club so quick." The silver haired man responded with a chuckle. "Very well, lets pick up the pace."
Kabuto took off at a run with both boys following right behind. Naruto heard one of the girls shout something that sounded suspiciously like "they are getting away" before their voices faded.
"There is something wrong with this place." Naruto grumbled.
"You had best get used to it Naruto-kun." Kabuto said matter of factly. "It's going to be your home for a while now."
"Yeah, right." Naruto declared, glaring at the sound ninja's back. "This place will never be 'home' to me."
Sasuke nodded very slightly in agreement. This was not home. It was just a training ground to sharpen their skills and increase their power. You could scarcely call a vipers nest home unless you were a viper too.
"I think you may grow used to it after a while." Kabuto shrugged. "I said the same thing when I arrived here."
"A loser like you would call the underside of a rock home as long as you thought you were on the winning side." Sasuke said coldly.
Kabuto went ridged and shut his trap. Naruto never liked the guy, but that had been harsh. The thing was Sasuke was probably right for once. Kabuto had so many false alliances that no matter who actually won the war he would probably be part of the winning side. Heck, even if the sound got wiped out Kabuto probably had a back up plan and would just go and join another village.
They traveled the rest of the way in silence. Finally, after about three more minutes of running down streets at a break neck pace Naruto spotted what looked like a temple complex or something to that extent. It wasn't big really, just a simple one story building. He got the feeling though that it was a lot bigger then it actually looked, perhaps extending underground or off into the forest. Regardless Naruto could instantly tell this building was Orochimaru's lair.
"The serpents den." Sasuke whispered and Naruto nodded.
They skidded to a halt in front of a massive double door entrance with ten guards in front of it. Although at first the guards seemed relaxed, they all tensed when they noticed Naruto and Sasuke. Apparently new comers weren't allowed inside very often.
"Orochimaru-sama is expecting us." Kabuto spoke sternly. "Let us pass."
The guards nodded and stepped aside as they pushed open the massive doors. Naruto noticed they were all wearing outfits like the five sound ninja who had come for Sasuke. The black under garments with a grayish uniform over top all tied up with a large purple rope.
"Whats up with the girly uniforms." Naruto asked Kabuto just loud enough for the guards to hear as they shut the door. He smirked when he heard some of them snarl angrily.
"Elite uniforms." Kabuto explained. "They signify Orochimaru's personal guards."
"Elites? So there's more then just the normal ranking system in Oto?" The fox container questioned absentmindedly as he looked around the inside of the rather bland building. It seemed to be little more then a series of stone hallways and wooden doors with a few torches place at intervals for light.
"Yes. Like other villages we have the standard four ranks: genin, chunin, jounin, and ANBU. However, here we also have an elite division of each, the highest ranked being the Elite ANBUs which get their orders directly from Orochimaru-sama and tend to be the most powerful ninjas in the village."
Sasuke snorted. "I am guessing then that the five who came to get me were elite jounin or ANBU?"
"Hardly." Kabuto laughed."Their strength was no were near that level. The five who came for you were only elite genin."
Naruto gapped at the man. That bone freak was only a elite genin? What the heck were the elite jounin like? Better yet, how strong were the elite ANBU?
Naruto shook his head and snapped his mouth shut. "So what are you?"
"Me? I am technically an elite chunin, at least in terms of power, though as you can see," Kabuto indicated his rather standard issue uniform, "I am not required to wear the uniform due to my occupation as an intelligence agent. Its just too much of a give away."
"Man..." Naruto mumbled.
"Most elites have had personal training from Orochimaru-sama or Ryuujin-sama." Kabuto continued. "They often are trained in defensive styled fighting, the four who came after you for example were trained for defensive jutsu. Seals, barriers, and things along those lines. Though sometimes you can kill with defensive tactics if the defense is strong enough. The only elites really trained for offensive measures are elite ANBU like Ryuujin-sama."
"Ryuujin?" Sasuke inquired, raising an eyebrow at the name.
"Oh yes, I suppose you have never met him, he wasn't with us during the invasion. Come to think of it none of the elite ANBU were. If he and the others had been there we probably would have won," Kabuto sighed, "but they have other duties besides simple warfare. Ryuujin-sama is the... never mind here we are." Kabuto said and pointed ahead to a pair of large double doors.
Two guards straighted at their approach. They wore the same elite uniform the guards outside had been wearing, but these two seemed more dangerous then all ten of the ones that had been outside. Kabuto was also noticeably less confident this time. That was when Naruto noticed the matching demon masks the two men wore.
'So these are elite ANBU then? They don't look like much.' Naruto thought confidently as they approached. His confidence faded a little when the first one spoke.
"What do you want, Kabuto-sama." The man rasped. His voice seemed frail, but something about it sounded dangerous and despite the honorific Kabuto didn't look like he was going to order these guys to do anything. He didn't look afraid or anything like that, but he was obviously respectful of the threat these two posed.
"I have brought Sasuke-kun as Orochimaru-sama requested. I will leave these two with you." The silver haired man said and turned away to begin walking down the corridor again.
"As you wish." The other man said with a shrug. He was bigger then the one with the raspy voice, but at least he sounded human. "But why are there two? They can't both be Uchihas can they?"
"The other one I am sure Orochimaru-sama will also want to see. He will know who they are, they have all met before." Kabuto said over his shoulder as he left.
The big man shrugged again and pushed open the doors. Naruto made to walk in, but the one with the raspy voice stopped him by placing a pale, thin hand on his shoulder.
"Not yet, whelp." He said. "We have to make sure its alright first. Do not worry you will get to see the Great Snake Sannin soon enough."
"I have seen him before and I wasn't impressed." Naruto spoke to the man who's only response was a grating chuckle.
"Two?" An all to familiar voice hissed then spoke loud enough for the guard to hear. "Let them enter."
"Go ahead." The man wheezed with a nod.
Sasuke walked in first with Naruto trailing right behind him. Sitting on a throne like stone chair near the center of the room was Orochimaru himself with the large masked man to his right, arms crossed over his chest. The room they were in seemed almost lifeless. Besides the stone throne and the stone table next to it the room was completely devoid of furniture. Torches on the walls gave off a dim, almost sickly light. The only other source were some candles by the throne that seemed to be something along the lines of incense candles. It wasn't what Naruto had been expecting to say the least.
Orochimaru himself looked like he had seen far better days. His entire body was bandaged from head to foot with medical wrappings and only one of his eyes could be seen. He still wore his uniform though, the same kind the elites wore, but it did little to hide the state his body was in.
"Aaahh Sasuke-kun." The snake sannin stood and began walking toward them with his arms open. "You arrived a little late, but late is better then never."
"That doesn't matter." Sasuke growled. "Hurry up and give me power."
Orochimaru chuckled. "In due time, all in due time. If you stay with me Sasuke-kun, I can give you enough power to crush your brother. I can give you enough power to do anything you want." After his little declaration the snake turned his attention to Naruto and looked him over. He crossed his arms in a thoughtful way as he began to speak. "And Naruto-kun too, truly a surprise. Tell me what is it that the student of Jiraiya wants from me?" Naruto just glared at the man, who laughed. "You remind me of him when we were younger."
"If you want me to stay, he stays." Sasuke said with an air of finality.
Orochimaru just chuckled some more. "As you wish if that is your price." The man smiled behind his bandages. "Besides I would love to have Naruto-kun join our dear little village. Unlike other villages the power of a Jinchūriki is always welcome here. So then that settles it, I am pleased to welcome you both to Otogakure."
Naruto stared openly at the snake sannin. Just like that? No argument? nothing? He was expecting, hoping for really, a full scale fight over this, not "as you wish".
"kukuku... Come now Naruto-kun you didn't think I would turn you away now did you?" The sannin asked.
"Actually I did."
"Then you don't know me nearly as well as you think you do. Not everything people say is true you know." The man responded walking closer to them. "hhmm..."
Naruto took a step back. The snake was looking at him oddly and he didn't like it. "What?"
"That outfit does you no good." The man cackled evilly. "Though orange is fitting considering what resides within you."
Naruto growled at the sannin in a feral manner.
"kukuku... No need to be angry with me Naruto-kun. I am just telling you the truth. More then those fools at Konoha ever did." He said with a dismissive wave as he walked back to his stone throne and sat down. "I suppose you will want a tour of your new home. Ras, Tol, find Kabuto and bring him back here. Tell him its urgent."
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama." The two elite ANBU saluted and vanished in puffs of smoke. A few seconds later Kabuto and the two ANBU reappeared.
"You wanted to see me Orochimaru-sama?" The silver haired man said.
"Yes, take these two to Ryu-kun," As Orochimaru said this the two ANBU went completely ridged, "I believe he may be interested in training them. After Ryu-kun decides if he will or not show them to their rooms and inform all the guards they may go were they please, both within the compound and in the village."
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama." He bowed and turned to them. "Come on you two." He walked out of the room with Naruto trailing right behind him.
Naruto was all to eager to get out of the snake sannin's sight and the fact that the two ANBU were staring at them in an almost admiring fashion didn't help. That just made him feel uneasy, anything they admired him for was probably not good. Sasuke walked out at a pointedly slow pace following Naruto and Kabuto.
"Looks like we are all stuck together a while longer." Kabuto said as soon as the two doors leading into the throne room swung shut.
"Least you act normal I guess." Naruto muttered.
"Who is this Ryuujin that everyone keeps mentioning?" Sasuke asked irritably. This seemed to be the attitude he adopted sense the moment they arrived. Instead of being dark and antisocial he just acted like he was ten seconds from exploding on the next person he spoke to.
"Guess I didn't get around to telling you it before, did I?" Kabuto sighed. "Ryuujin-sama is the commander of the elite ANBU. He is pretty much the strongest ninja in the village besides Orochimaru-sama. He is also kind of a special case in terms of training and time spent living here."
"Eh? A special case? What does that mean?" Naruto asked.
Kabuto frowned in thought as he walked. "Most of the elites are long time residents, ranging from six or seven years all the way up to being born here, Ryuujin-sama hasn't even been here for two years. He wasn't even trained here like most of the elites are, he just wandered in one night and was pretty much given the position within days. It's rumored that he and Orochimaru-sama knew each other from a long time ago, thats why he got the position so quickly."
"And he is gonna be our sensei?" Naruto grinned at the idea. "Cool."
Sasuke sighed. Leave it to Naruto to suddenly switch opinions so quickly. One second he couldn't wait to get out of here and now he couldn't wait to meet their new sensei. He gave Sasuke a headache.
"He will be your sensei if he decides to train you. It's his choice, not even Orochimaru-sama tells him who to take as students." Kabuto gave them an evil smile. "He is pretty picky too, so don't get your hopes up. Aahh here we are..."
Kabuto opened a door and made to step inside only to stop mid stride. There was a second of him standing there staring at something followed by a female scream which was echoed by several others. Right after that several dozen seemingly random objects including bars of soap, combs, kunai, and shuriken came flying out of the doorway. Kabuto managed to dodge all of them except for a short stool which hit him square in the face sending him reeling backwards. A young woman with a towel wrapped around her appeared in the door way.
"Kabuto-hentai!" She screamed and slammed the door.
"What the hell was that?!" Naruto, who had fallen backwards when the first wave of objects appeared, shouted from the floor.
Kabuto straighted, pushed his amazingly intact glasses back up the bridge of his nose and shrugged. "Ladies bath house it seems."
Both Naruto and Sasuke sweat dropped.
"The ladies bath house..." Naruto pointed at the older man in outrage. "You did that on purpose didn't you?!"
"Course not!" He affirmed and turned back down the corridor they just came from. "This way. I think I took a wrong turn some where."
"Why is it," Sasuke muttered in disgust, "no matter where we go there is always, always, a pervert with white hair?"
"I am not a pervert." Kabuto defended himself. He took a right leading them in a different direction.
"Why the hell did that girl call you 'Kabuto-hentai' then?!" Naruto fumed.
He just shrugged again. "Probably because she was the one I was staring at..."
Both younger boys dead panned.
'Not a pervert my ass...' They thought at the same time.
"Well then do you want to check to see if its the right door this time?" Kabuto asked sarcastically, pointing to a door on their left.
"Oh, no!" Naruto backed away. "I ain't getting hit in the face like that."
Kabuto smirked, walked up to the door, opened it and stepped inside. After a second Naruto and Sasuke followed. This certainly wasn't a bath house.
The first thing Naruto noticed was the room's size. It was huge. He couldn't even guess how large it was, but it easily could have fit over a hundred people with plenty of space to spare. The next thing he noticed was the fact the room looked like it had seen its share of heavy combat. It had burn marks, slashes, craters, and other various signs of heavy battle all over. This had to be a training area for very powerful ninja.
The last thing he noticed was the single figure standing in the center of the room with his back turned to them. The man was tall, probably around six feet and his night black hair was long enough to reach the middle of his back. His features were mostly hidden by a large black cloak similar to the kind he had seen Itachi and the shark freak wearing. Instead of the red and white cloud patterns though a single red multi headed serpent wrapped its way around the man's cloak.
"Ryuujin-sama..." Kabuto began, but cut off as a massive wave of killing intent washed over them.
Naruto felt his legs nearly give out from under him, which was probably a good thing, if he wasn't so sure he would fall at the slightest movement he would have been running. He glanced at Sasuke to see if he was handling it any better. The Uchiha looked to be standing just fine at a glance, but his eyes were wide with fear and his stance said he wanted to run for it. Even Kabuto took an involuntary step back. He couldn't see the silver haired man's face, but Naruto guessed he had the same expression they did.
"What do you want, Kabuto-san," The man's voice seemed devoid of any emotion, "and make it quick, I have other business to attend to..."
- A/N -
REVIEW! I thank everyone that is faving and putting the story on alert but I really want to hear your thoughts on it. If you can't think of anything overly interesting to say thats fine, just tell me I am doing a good job or another generic review comment. Come on people authors like to be told they are doing a good job! Support the authors, write reviews! That is all...
