I don't own Naruto the series or anything in it. I am a simple writer and I make no profit off of my stories. Warning for graphic description of illness, blood and other bodily fluids. Not for weak stomachs. Oh There will be character death, lots and lots of it! So be warned. Also watch for mature language and themes as you have come to expect from me.
My timeline isn't the only thing that's off (if you get my meaning). ^.^
Zombie Love
Chapter 4: Quick Stop Over
Sasuke knew he would find water nearby, but he didn't expect to come across more putrid smells. He approached a small natural pond. The surface of the water was littered with dead fish and frogs. He wasn't certain but he thought he even saw a kappa floating amongst the debris. He was in farm territory he decided he would rather find a well to get water from; one that was untainted. The pond was on the outskirts of pasture land; no doubt it would have been a water source for the livestock before it turned into a giant pot of rotted fish stew.
Sasuke wandered through the pasture noticing the definite lack of normal chakra that one would find coming off of lower life forms. There was evidence that he wasn't the only one to burn bodies. He guessed the farmers had decided it was the safest bet in dealing with infected animals was to burn them. Sasuke edged his way around the charred carrion. He sensed no life in the buildings at the base of the long sloping hill. Still he approached cautiously. The building closest to the field was obviously an animal barn. There was a storage shed and a pump well. Sasuke worked the pump until brown water spewed forth. It had probably not been used in weeks judging by the state of the water. He continued to pump until he brought forth clear water. He leaned his head under it rinsing the grime, soot and sweat from his hair. He drank not realizing just how thirsty he had grown. The water tasted metallic but was otherwise crisp and refreshing.
Sasuke decided he would see if anybody was home since he sensed no presences. He felt none other than those that might come from rocks or trees; yet he was wary lest more of those puppets like from before should appear. The person controlling them had not shown himself, or themselves, if that were the case. He didn't know what kind of agenda they might have creating monstrosities like that, but they couldn't have anything good in mind.
Sasuke found a quaint little farm house across the way from the barn and still no sign of life what-so-ever. His hair, still dripping wet, fell over his eyes. He marched up to the house not bothering to hide his chakra signature. If they wanted to send more puppets at him them so be it he wasn't hiding. Sasuke found the door was standing ajar. This perhaps was not so odd considering it wasn't cold out this time of year and these people had no near neighbors.
Sasuke scanned the area and he sensed something really faint. There was a loud crash coming from deeper inside the house. Sasuke flicked the light switch and was pleasantly surprised to see there was electricity available. He moved toward the sound. He opened the first door he came to. It was a utility closet and there was nothing besides the usual household items, and a washer and dryer he noted.
If Sasuke was unnerved by this situation it didn't show. He kept his unemotional mask up. There was another crash. He moved toward the sound of glass breaking. The end of the hall brought him to three doors; the one directly in front of him was an outer door. On his left was the kitchen and to his right he guessed a dining room or something, but the noises were definitely coming from the kitchen.
Sasuke scanned the kitchen seeing something white running behind the refrigerator. He heard a low hissing noise. He guessed it was a farm cat looking for a meal. He shrugged his shoulders there probably wasn't anything for the animal to hunt since most of the smaller animals seemed to be dead. It was strange that the cat had managed to stay alive.
Sasuke took pity on the animal and searched the cabinets for something. He stepped around the broken glass and what looked to be spilt flour. He found that these people had canned cat food, which he thought was weird since it was a farm and he assumed they would only keep a cat around to catch mice.
He opened the can and was not surprised when the white thing rushed to him. It was purring and rubbing its body against his pant leg. He snorted for some reason the thing reminded him of Sakura. He picked up the animal and noticed it wore a collar bearing its name, "Kaede." The animal was a mostly white calico with dark orange and black markings that indeed resembled maple leaves. The animal purred and stretched its paw toward his face to gently tap his nose. The animal was unhealthily thin with prominent ribs. Sasuke offered he the can of food and she dove for it making loud purring noises. Sasuke decided to look for a bathroom in this place.
He backtracked to the front of the house and found the stairs he had passed earlier. He climbed to the second story silently, or as silently as old creaky stairs would allow. The stairs ended facing a door and a banister that wrapped around the opening for the stairs to prevent someone from falling. There were doors along the hallway. The first being; conveniently enough; the bathroom. There was a faint unpleasant odor up there but nowhere near what he had smelled outside. He decided a shower would be very nice then he would wash his clothing.
Naruto tossed and turned in his bed. He didn't know what to do about Konohamaru. "Maybe…Maybe I should just go," He mumbled to himself. He really didn't want to hurt the boy any further then he had. He just couldn't return the boy's feelings and it really sucked! He knew he couldn't leave then. He was wearing borrowed clothes and his had been handed over to the house staff for laundering.
"I'll go in the morning, but first I think Konohamaru deserves to know…to know how I feel about him.
Naruto rolled over and looked at the bedside clock. He groaned. It was almost seven in the morning. The sun was coming up. He grabbed the pillow from behind him and smothered his face in it. He rolled over and tried to close his eyes once more.
Konohamaru had his hand raised to knock on Naruto's door. He paused. He had not slept a wink. He really just wanted to apologize to Naruto for putting him on the spot like that, but he still really wanted Naruto to change his mind. If Naruto was thinking about leaving and going to an inn or staying with someone else (especially that penis freak Sai) he could forget about it. Konohamaru intended to fulfill his promise to Naruto that he could stay there.
"It won't be awkward at all, noooooo," he groaned quietly. Konohamaru turned and left the boy to sleep in peace. He trudged downstairs. The sound of glasses clinking in the dining room drew him in. Ebitsu was no doubt having his morning coffee. "Coffee sounds good right now," Konohamaru took a seat across from his guardian.
"Good morning," Ebitsu said through the morning newspaper, "I would ask if you slept well but since you didn't get in until after three then, well…" The man trailed off and sniffed.
"Ebitsu…may I ask you a question," Konohamaru said seriously.
The elder laid down his paper and looked through his smoke colored glasses at the boy. He waited.
"Well…I mean to say…what would you do if the person you loved the most…um…what if he didn't return your feelings, but you know he cares about you? I mean to say. I still love him and he still treats me like a little brother," In an unusual display of timidity the teen fumbled with his fingers staring at them like they were difficult puzzle.
The man sighed, "You love him, and you have told him as much I assume," Ko nodded sadly, "There's no changing that…well…" Ebitsu hated this. He did care about Konohamaru and he didn't want him heartbroken. If he wanted Uzumaki then Ebitsu grudgingly had to admit the kid was not so bad. He was just a huge headache for himself, "Listen Konohamaru-san. You have never been one to quit before. I say you should not give up…not just yet. Just, perhaps, you should give him time to digest what you have told him." Konohamaru nodded. He then stood and went to the kitchen to fetch himself some breakfast and that coffee he needed so very much at that moment.
Sasuke finished his shower and found that they were well stocked with clean linens, ok the top ones were coated in dust, but the rest were clean. Sasuke wrapped a white terrycloth towel about his waist and gathered up his uniform. He headed down to the first floor once more carrying his dirty clothes wrapped in one of the dusty towels he had found. He threw his clothes in the washer and added a bit of the fragrant soap that was sitting atop the machine. After turning it on he went back to the kitchen where he was attacked by a purring ball of fluff that wanted to climb up his leg and give him a proper thank you for his meal.
Sasuke 'hned' at the cat, which did nothing. So he picked up the little beast and held it in front of his face, "You're welcome…I guess." The cat stretched her paws and tapped his face.
'I so own you now,' She licked her lips and purred contentedly.
Sasuke decided he had made himself at home enough he might as well find something to eat. He opened the fridge which was a mistake. The fumes from within were probably toxic. He quickly closed the tomb for once fresh foods. He scoured the cabinets. There he found more cat food, and a few condensed soups, tuna, and some cup ramen. He shrugged his shoulders taking a cup that promised him miso ramen if he went by the packaging. A small smile tilted at the edges of his lips as he found a small pot to boil water in. He waited for the water staring at the instant noodles.
"Well not exactly instant," He mumbled.
He remembered fondly what his former teammate said on their first day as team seven.
'I'm Uzumaki Naruto! I like cup ramen, and I especially like Ichiraku's ramen! I hate the three minutes it takes to make the ramen. My dream is to be the greatest Hokage and have all the villagers acknowledge me,' Sasuke wasn't certain if that was exactly what he had said, but at the time he was more irritated at having to be there than anything else. "He was so annoying back then, I wonder if he has changed any?"
Sasuke noticed his water was boiling and he prepared his almost instant meal. He set the cup on the counter when he heard the buzzer go off for the washer. He left his food so he could move his clothes into the dryer.
He went back to his ramen with a white fur ball following behind him. He lifted the lid and smelled the spiced broth. It was not what he was used to for months of grueling training, and at Orochimaru's insistence he ate healthful and balanced meals. Well considering he was preparing Sasuke's body for his own personal uses it made sense that he insist Sasuke be in peak condition. Sasuke glowered to himself. He was going to hand his body to that maniac. He quickly finished his food. He was actually wondering if anybody had noticed he was gone yet…well likely, but he doubted anyone would follow him in face of the plague, snake-sannin or not…then again he had quite a few mindless followers he was more than willing to throw away trying to retrieve his new body, Sasuke supposed. He slurped the noodles down as the sun peeked over the mountain horizon.
Naruto cracked his eyes. The light poured in through the window blinding him temporarily. He didn't want to get up. He hid his head under his pillow, "Damn." he had forgotten this wasn't his room, his bed, or even his pillow. He sat up and let the pillow fall to the floor. "What am I going to say to him?"
{I know this chapter was kind a random, but I have been feeling poorly, so I did my best, and left it where it stands. Oh and anybody who says Sasuke wouldn't feed the poor hungry kitty is just a cat hater! Naw, just messin' with ya!}se we makes 'em fresh!}