Stray Dogs

Chapter 4

Sakon and Ukon were not known for their compassion, just the opposite, they had learned to survive by being ruthless, even outright sadistic. Still, the brothers couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity for their former comrade. The Abumi Zaku they'd known was a loud-mouthed, arrogant little fool, convinced he was Orochimaru's 'chosen one', but now...

The boy sat at the far end of his quarters, his dark hair uncombed, his blood-shot eyes gazing into the distance through puffy, red eyelids, his face pale and listless. He hadn't eaten since he'd awakened. He looked like hell, and who could blame him, he had been heartlessly betrayed and murdered by the man he'd viewed as his personal savior, the man he'd spent his life trying to please, even sacrificing his arms rather than surrender and disgrace his master. It had been days since he had been brought back from the dead, his arms were completely healed, but his mind, his pride, were broken.

"Have you come to kill me? If so, please, make it quick." Zaku didn't even look up, there was no fear in his voice, just a sense of tiredness.

"No," Both Twins shook their heads, "Boss has ordered you transferred."

Zaku was silent for a moment, then, softly, "Transferred? What possible use could I be to anyone? I'm worthless, Lord Oro-"

"SHUT UP!" Ukon snapped, and the Twins grabbed the boy by the front of his pale blue shirt, "Just shut up! These guys go to all the trouble of bringing you back and all you can do is mope over that perverted old Snake?! He doesn't deserve your loyalty or your fear!"

Zaku's eyes widened slightly, since when did Ukon care about anything other than his brother and himself?

The Twins calmed down a little, "The boss wants you to go live with his brother in Kusagakure. Don't ask us why, he just thinks Eiji will be willing to help you get past this."

Zaku thought back, he barely knew Eiji, the one time he'd seen him, the boy had spent most of his time with Kidoumaru, Sakon, Ukon and Jirobou. Eiji had looked him in the eyes once, and the spider kid got this really sad look on his face. Zaku had even insulted him several times.

Why would he want me ?

His train of thought was derailed when a worker came in, carrying a plate of food, which the Twins duly took and thrust into his face. "Eat, or we'll shove it down your throat! Boss said you needed to be healthy, or we'd get in trouble, so you ARE going to eat."

Zaku took the plate, ate a few small bites, then his hunger overrode his misery and he started wolfing down the food.

...

Two hours later, Zaku was following the Twins through the seemingly endless grasslands of Kusagakure. By rights it should have taken days, but the Twins had learned a Teleportation Jutsu, bridging the many miles between their base in Oto and the central area of Kusagakure. In the distance, he could see hints of a large town, but the Twins were getting tired, such a long-distance teleportation had taken a lot of Chakra.

Ukon wondered about Eiichiro's decision to send Zaku here. Since he was in no condition to fight, logic suggested that he simply be disposed of, and he knew enough about Jashinism to know that mercy was considered a sin. Still, for some unexplained reason, he was glad he didn't have to kill him, he'd fairly hated the stuck-up little brat before, and wouldn't have hesitated if he'd have been asked to kill him then, but now, seeing him so totally crushed, he felt - No, it's not pity, he thought, it's just doing my job.

The Twins sat in the deep grass and Zaku sat beside them as they pulled a scroll from the supply bag they carried. "We're too low on Chakra to use this," Sakon said with a bit of shame, the strongest of the Sound Five admitting weakness? "But, could you...?"

Zaku nodded and took the scroll, and within a few minutes the three Sound ninja were flying through the air atop a giant dragonfly.

...

Several miles away, Mizuki was cooking breakfast and Eiji was studying a book on Medical Jutsu. Suddenly the sound of great, beating wings drowned out the sound of cooking food. Then, someone began knocking at the door. Eiji went over cautiously and opened it, then stood, shocked and silent, staring open-mouthed at the figures before him.

'Eiji, you look like you've seen a ghost." Sakon smiled broadly.

To Be Continued . . .