A/N: Just so you know, Kabuto's age is AU/OOC in this fic.
In this chapter he's about 13, and the story is taking place a few years after Orochimaru left the Hidden Leaf Village.
Kabuto looked towards the tealeaves, and hid a frown; Orochimaru was making green tea. He'd noticed that his lord was making it a lot lately, and he'd realized a long time ago that Orochimaru drank it the most when he had a lot of thoughts swirling in his head. He fleetingly wondered what had Orochimaru so worked up, but then he decided that he probably didn't want to know what thoughts thrived in his Lord's dark mind.
The kettle whistled shrilly, and Orochimaru got two cups out of a nearby cabinet. Setting them on the counter, he put some tealeaves in the bottom of each one, and grasping the kettle's handle, he poured steaming water into the cups.
"Take one, Kabuto," he said quietly.
"Thank you, lord." Kabuto said solemnly.
Orochimaru threw a slender spoon at Kabuto who barely managed to catch it gracefully with his free hand. He nodded in thanks, and began to stir his tea.
Orochimaru watched his tea swirl as he stirred it. He sighed softly to himself; today had been almost too quiet.
"If I may ask," Kabuto said nervously. "Is something troubling you, lord?"
Orochimaru looked up from his tea, "I'm a man with many thoughts," he answered simply.
Kabuto waited for Orochimaru to continue, but then he realized that he
wasn't going to, just like always.
"Of course, lord." Kabuto answered.
Orochimaru slid the spoon out of the tea, and set in gently on the counter; its metal surface gleamed in the dim lantern and candlelight that lit everything in their makeshift home. He lifted the cup to his lips, and blew quietly on its steaming contents. Parting his lips slightly, he took a cautious sip, and then satisfied that it was the right temperature, began to drink. He sighed, and closed his eyes as he sipped.
Kabuto took the spoon out of his own tea; it clanged as he set it on the counter. Orochimaru's eyes slid open, and he looked at the offending utensil.
"Sorry, lord." Kabuto said quietly.
Orochimaru ignored him, and went back to his tea.
Kabuto looked at the light green liquid in his cup; not bothering to blow on it, he took a gulp, and felt the warm drink course through him. He felt the cold that had seeped into his bones for days melt a bit. It was a nice feeling, an uncommon thing in this odd home.
As Orochimaru sipped his tea, he pictured it flooding out unwanted thoughts. "Green tea is a much better relaxant than meditation," he thought. "Meditation…" he mused, the word held so much meaning.
"Orochimaru! Stop fidgeting!" Sarutobi chided gently. "Focus on your breathing, and meditate."
"Yes sensei," he quietly answered; he heard Jiraiya snicker softly beside him.
"Oww…" Jiraiya moaned, and Orochimaru guessed that Tsunade had elbowed him so he'd be quiet.
Orochimaru tried to lose himself in his breathing, but his thoughts wouldn't stop. They were the same thoughts that had been troubling him ever since his mother died. Thoughts of immortality, and eternity…
"Just want to go play outside…" he heard Jiraiya grumble. "Do some research…"
"Sshh!" Tsunade scolded him.
"Don't shush me, you little troll!" Jiraiya whispered.
"Why you!" Tsunade said in a loud whisper.
"Tsunade! Jiraiya! Concentrate!" Sarutobi said.
"Yes sensei," they both answered in a reluctant tone.
All was silent after that; Sarutobi opened his eyes slightly, and observed his students. Jiraiya was frowning angrily, and fidgeting; Tsunade was pouting a bit, and Orochimaru's forehead was creased, and a little frown was on his lips. Sarutobi frowned; he knew something was troubling the young boy, but he wasn't sure what.
"Could it be his mother?" he thought. "I'll have to see if I can get him to talk later." Orochimaru wasn't a person to talk about his feelings and thoughts, and at times, it made dealing with him very complicated, but Sarutobi always managed to get at least a little bit out of him.
"All right; that's enough for today." Sarutobi said.
"Yeah! Finally!" Jiraiya shouted, jumping to his feet and running off.
Tsunade scowled at him, and yelled, "Where do you think you're going, Jiraiya? Sensei said that we were finished meditating, not that we were dismissed!"
Sarutobi laughed, "It's all right, Tsunade," he said. "You're all free to go."
"Yes, sensei." Tsunade replied, getting to her feet. She gracefully walked out of the training hall.
Orochimaru stood up, and started to walk away, but Sarutobi stopped him.
"Wait a moment, Orochimaru," he said. "I've been meaning to ask you; is something bothering you?"
Orochimaru looked away, "No sensei." he answered quietly.
"Orochimaru," Sarutobi chided the boy. "Don't lie to me; I can tell when something's troubling you. Is it your mother?" he asked softly.
"No…" Orochimaru replied. "Well…not really. I've just been thinking, sensei."
"About what?" Sarutobi asked, surprised.
"Nothing of importance…" Orochimaru whispered.
"I beg to differ; if these thoughts are what has been plaguing you for so long, they must be pretty important." Sarutobi answered.
"I'd rather not talk about it, sensei. I just want to figure it out on my own." Orochimaru replied in a hard tone.
"Well, if that's what you want," Sarutobi answered. "But remember, I'm here, if you change your mind."
"Yes, sensei." Orochimaru answered, and with that, he too left the hall.
"Oh, Orochimaru," Sarutobi sighed. "What am I going to do with you?"
Orochimaru set his empty cup on the counter, and turning to Kabuto said, "I'm going to my room. I will see you in the morning."
"Yes, lord." Kabuto answered obediently.
