Disclaimer: If you honestly think that there might be a chance that I own it, I'm surprised that you can actually read.

A/N: If it's any consolation, I feel terrible for being so bad at updating in a timely manner. I have a long list of excuses, but I bet you all don't wanna hear them. So I'll just suffice by saying that I suck. Oh, and I changed my pen name. But you probably already realized that by now. And I would recommend rereading the first three chapters of this fic before reading this one...even I had to refresh my memory and reread them.

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Moving sluggishly, Sasuke walked over to his closet and pulled out a black, sleeveless shirt with a high collar and a pair of long, dark blue pants. He grabbed a pair of navy blue boxers as well, and trudged into his adjacent bathroom, closing the door behind him. Despite knowing that he would definitely be caked in dirt, and possibly blood, by the end of his training session, his sweat-lined body begged for an immediate shower. He set his clean clothes down on the cool floor and reached behind the shower curtain to turn on the water. Black boxers dropped to pale ankles as he stepped out of them and into the shower. The lukewarm water erupting from the sleek shower head flattened his hair against his face and the back of his neck as he sighed with relief. To him, water was a source of comfort and consolance, washing away his sweat, pain, and thoughts. It made him feel numb, and as far as he was concerned, no feeling was better than feelings of regret and remorse. Thick, dark eyelashes brushed against pale cheeks as he relaxed under the water, letting himself become vulnerable. He listlessly grabbed a clear bottle of unscented shampoo, dispensed some into a large palm, and began to rub in into his silky, drenched hair. Creamy conditioner and soap followed, each being taken away by the running water. Leftover suds gently kissed a trail down his lightly toned body before slowly swirling down the drain. His sense of time was lost completely as the liquid gently drummed on his back in a slow, steady rhythm. Only when the water started to cool did he justify that his shower was finally over. He turned the water off and watched the remnants of suds swirl down the silver drain. Reaching outside of the shower, he grabbed a fluffy, black towel from off of the sleek rack and rubbed his lightly muscled body dry. He then got dressed, his sopping hair quickly soaking through the back of his shirt. As he soaked up the excess water dripping from his hair, the numbing effects of his shower started to fade. Memories and emotions that had been temporarily suppressed started to bubble up to the surface again. Those memories, emotions, and bonds, try as he might to obliterate them, could not be destroyed completely. So every day, much like a high school girl would apply her makeup, the Uchiha would slip into his cool facade. Everything in his life that he couldn't handle would be masked under an apathetic shell. He tried to disregard Orochimaru's opinion, despite the small, nagging feeling that his facade wasn't as full-proof as it once was. Nevertheless, he depended on it, for coping with his past proved too difficult.

Stoic and expressionless, Sasuke stepped back into his room, bright sunlight now streaming through the window. He poked his head out, the noon sun heavily beating down on the earth. Well aware that Kabuto has summoned him for the training hours ago, he decided that it was finally time to leave. He grabbed his weapons pouch and chokuto. Then he turned toward the window, concentrated chakra to his extremities, and dove through the window.

This was his usual practice, because he didn't like to associate with anyone else from the village. As to avoid unwanted chats, he came up with different methods of getting around Otogakure without running into others.

He latched onto a thick, sturdy branch attached to the tree outside his window with his chakra laden palms, kicked his legs upward, and flipped into a crouching position onto the very same branch. The soles of his sandals rich with chakra, he stood on the branch for only a split second before jumping down from one branch to the next with grace and agility. In no time at all, his feet came in contact with the hard ground, and he started his casual walk through musty alleyways and behind various buildings, his usual unused path to the training grounds. After a few minutes of undisturbed walking, Sasuke finally arrived at his destination. There Orochimaru stood, a wide smirk on his pallid face.

"Mhmm, I'm glad you finally decided to join me, Sasuke," Orochimaru said silkily, amber eyes full of mirth.

Sasuke merely looked back at the snake sannin, eyes devoid of emotion. He made no move to apologize, or even look remotely remorseful for being so inconsiderate. The greasy-haired man narrowed his eyes slightly, annoyed at his special pawn's rudeness. If any of his subordinates treated him with such disrespect, he would dispose of them immediately. However, Sasuke was a special case. Even after one failed attempt, the sannin was determined to make the Uchiha his next body. The time was approaching steadily as the three-year anniversary of the first attempt crept closer. Physically, Sasuke had grown stronger and stronger since Orochimaru tried to take control of his body. But mentally, Orochimaru knew that the young shinobi was being increasingly worn down as the days went by. A long tongue darted out of his wide mouth, and he subconsciously licked his lips in delight.

Sasuke raised a slender eyebrow, not keen on knowing what the sannin was thinking.

"Today we will go one-on-one, using only our blades. I don't want you to to use any chakra or your Sharingan," Orochimaru stated after pulling himself away from his twisted thoughts.

"What's the point in doing this?" Sasuke asked bluntly, slightly opposed to fighting without his beloved Sharingan.

"It will improve your reflexes, stamina, and your skills with a blade," the sannin stated simply. Without warning, he unsheathed his sword and lunged at Sasuke, who barely managed to avoid the surprise attack. "Begin."

Sasuke quickly pulled his chokuto out from its resting place. The pallid sannin lunged again, but this time the Uchiha was ready. He blocked the attack and all those that followed. The fight was fast-paced, relentless, and deadly, though neither shinobi had managed to draw blood yet. Every swing was blocked, the metal making a spectacular sound every time it clashed. Once more, Orochimaru leapt toward Sasuke, only one hand holding the hilt of his finely crafted sword. Sasuke easily deflected Orochimaru's attack, knocking the sannin's sword to the side with his own. The amber-eyed man smirked, held up his other arm swiftly, and aimed it at the raven. Scaly green serpents sprang forward from his black sleeve, mouths open and fangs glistening. Wide-eyed, Sasuke jumped backward to avoid the attack, but one sharp fang managed to cut above his [? eyebrow. Blood dripped down from the wound and he hastily shut his eye to avoid the crimson liquid dripping into it. Scowling, Sasuke lifted his shirt up and over his head and wiped the excess blood. The wound wasn't very deep, yet the blood flowing forth was enough to obstruct the vision in his right eye. It continued to seep forth from the cut, covering the pale eyelid with a messy curtain of blood.

"I thought you said that this was a weapon with only our swords," Sasuke said acidly, glaring at Orochimaru with one fierce eye.

"No, no, you misunderstood me," Orochimaru said, smirking lightly, "I meant that I didn't want you to use anything but your chokuto."

Pearly white teeth ground together and a dark look shadowed the raven's bloodied face. He received yet another smirk in response as the sannin flipped his greasy hair back with one pale hand. Carefully planning his next move, Sasuke gripped his chokuto tightly as he held it in front of him. He would make Orochimaru pay.

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"Okay, let's review the plan one more time," the Anbu said, fingering the cat mask nervously.

"We've been over this so many times...I don't want to go over it again" was the lazy drawl that the Anbu received in response.

"But this is my first big mission as an Anbu...I don't wanna mess it up!" the Anbu whined. "Can't we go over it once more?"

"No."

Blue eyes narrow, and an indignant huff escaped from between light pink lips. "Lazy bastard..."

"We don't have time to go over it again. The sun is going to set soon," he said, deep brown eyes regarding the sky thoughtfully.

"No way...it's finally time?" the Anbu asked in an excited whisper.

"Yeah, it's time. Let's get into position." he stated simply.

"We have backup...right?"

"Of course we do," the chocolate-haired man scoffed.

"Well, how many people?" the Anbu continued to pester.

"Just one."

"Great. If we have any opposition, we are so dead," the Anbu said bitterly, securing the cat mask back onto it's rightful place.

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Panting heavily, Sasuke continued his feeble attempts at staring down the sannin. Both had received numerous cuts and gashes along their sweat-lined bodies, staining their clothes and weakening them slowly. Orochimaru was fairing worse than Sasuke, despite his advantage, but it wasn't by much. Both shinobi were tired, hungry, and growing weaker with each blow, but neither would show it. The sun was now dipping below the horizon, vibrant colors splashed along the sky beautifully.

After deciding on a new plan of action, which was along the lines of using jutsu to knock the sannin out and be done with it, Sasuke readied himself for an attack. He moved to take a step forward, but found that his leg wouldn't obey. He tried to move again, but his body wouldn't budge for an instant. His one useful crimson eye widened to its fullest extent as realization dawned on him.

"I-I recognize this jutsu!" he thought to himself in disbelief, his eye following the thin, barely noticeable shadow that stretched out to the woods. He saw the foliage rustle for just a second. Then there was a rushing sound, a strange feeling of impact, and then nothing.

Both eyes closed, Sasuke stood unnervingly still. When the shadow receded slightly, his graceful neck fell forward, head dangling limply. Orochimaru watched, one slender eyebrow raised questioningly, thinking that Sasuke had possibly reached his limit.

Suddenly, the Uchiha's head sprang back up, both eyes opened. Orochimaru finally realized that something wasn't right when a wide grin broke out across the avenger's face. The expression might have been completely foreign, but it suited him beautifully.

"Phase One is a success. Moving on to Phase Two!" the smiling Uchiha exclaimed, looking toward the woods.

The long shadow finally receded completely, back to its rightful owner, who then stepped out of the woods. He moved a bit slowly, either due to his laziness or the petite kunoichi, clad in Anbu gear and a cat mask, draped over one of his strong shoulders.

"We're here to take back Sasuke, Orochimaru," Shikamaru said in a commanding tone, "and you won't stop us this time."

"Oh? And what makes you think that I'll just let you walk out of my village without a fight?" Orochimaru asked, his voice full of amusement.

'Sasuke's' grin faded and he raised his chokuto and held it steadily to his throat. "Your precious vessel's life is on the line. Give us problems and I will make it so that you can never use him."

"I know of this technique, and I know of its weaknesses. Are you really willing to give up your own life?" the sannin asked, still looking highly entertained.

'Sasuke' smirked and lowered the weapon away from his throat and held it up to his left hand. He drew the blade across the pad of his thumb, watching as blood began to spill from the new cut.

"Show him my left thumb," he commanded to Shikamaru, who obeyed. He held up the blonde's left hand, showing Orochimaru the unmarred thumb. There was no cut, no drop of blood to be seen.

"And the best part is, I don't feel any pain for the damage I do to my hosts," 'Sasuke' smirked. "My host can be injured, but it does nothing to my own body."

Orochimaru's amber eyes widened, but he instantly composed himself. "I guess I have no choice but to let you go," he said, shrugging indifferently. Despite the fact that he believed that the kunoichi possessing Sasuke was bluffing, it was a risk that he couldn't take. The deadly seriousness that shinned in Sasuke's eyes made it appear that she would be all to willing to kill off her host if she had no other choice. Besides, he was already injured and in no health to take on two fine Konoha shinobi.

Shikamaru nodded and 'Sasuke' leapt over to his side in one easy bound. They were about to make a quick retreat when Orochimaru's smooth voice stopped them in their tracks.

"Bear in mind, Sasuke will come back to me...one way or another."

The comrades exchanged quick glances before leaping into the woods, wasting no more time. From tree branch to tree branch they jumped with extreme grace and agility. After a few minutes, a hand motion from Shikamaru signaled a halt.

He concentrated intently, ears pricked for any signs of enemy pursuing them. Sensing no danger, he let out a small sigh, and then lifted his finger to his ear and pushed gently on a small, flesh-colored button.

"Phase Two was a success. There was no opposition," he said in a soft, yet clear tone.

"Roger. Commence Phase Three?" a male voice answered back through the communication device.

"Right. Where will we rejoin?" the lazy nin asked.

"Don't worry about it, I'll find you. Just concentrate on Phase Three. I'll radio over if met with any opposition. Over and out."

Shikamaru removed his finger from his ear and then moved the limp kunoichi from one shoulder to the other carefully.

"Phase Three?" 'Sasuke' asked, receiving a small nod in response. The two then continued their fast-paced journey through the dense forest.

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'What...what's going on?' Sasuke thought to himself. He could see that he was traveling through a thick forest, but it was as if he was seeing it through a cloud of haze.

'Just stay calm,' a soft, feminine voice replied, a voice that was familiar to him, yet he couldn't place it.

'What the hell are you doing in here? This is my body,' he said more forcefully. He now sounded more angry than confused.

'Just stay calm, Sasuke,' the voice pleaded with him. 'Just stay calm and cooperate with me,'

'I will not let you have control over my body. I won't let anyone have control over it,' Sasuke replied, his voice low and deadly.

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Up in the trees, 'Sasuke' stumbled as he landed on a branch, onyx eyes wide in fear. He started to pitch forwards, letting out a strangled cry as he fell toward the ground.

"Ino!" Shikamaru yelled futilely, fully aware that he would not be able to save the falling ninja.

With little grace and a lot of luck, Ino managed to land without severely injuring Sasuke's body in the fall. However, his doubled-over body shuddered violently, pale hands clutching onto dark hair mercilessly.

Shikamaru quickly jumped down onto the hard ground beside his shaking comrade, chocolate-colored eyes full of concern.

"What is it? What's going on?" he asked in a rush.

"Sasuke...he's rejecting my presence. I won't be able to stay in his body much longer."

"Shit, that's troublesome. Your unconscious body is light and easy to hull around, but I bet Uchiha is a lot more to hull around," Shikamaru stated, looking slightly annoyed at the prospect of additional labor.

'Sasuke' looked up at the lazy nin, eyebrows furrowed. He opened his mouth to say something, presumably and insult of some sort regarding his sheer laziness, but at that moment his body shook with one last violent tremor. "S-shit," he managed to choke out before his body went limp, falling sideways onto the forest floor.

Shikamaru lifted Ino's body off of his shoulder and held her upright beside him, waiting patiently for her to wake up. Her lithe figure tensed suddenly, and powder blue eyes snapped open behind the Anbu cat mask. Shikamaru then let her go, and she rubbed her forehead gently as she took as few wobbly steps away from him.

"Gawd, it was like he was shoving kunai into my forehead when he figured out that I had taken over his body. I'd have to say I liked possessing that little bird better. As hard as it was to fly, there wasn't a threat of it regaining control," Ino said, quite glad to be back in her own body.

"Yeah, but being a bird makes it awfully hard to use any jutsu. Now be on your guard. He could regain consciousness at any moment," Shikamaru warned, receiving a brief nod in response.

Mere seconds later, Sasuke's limp body stiffened and then shifted. Both dusty blue and deep brown eyes regarded the stirring Uchiha cautiously.

Sasuke stirred again, and an obsidian eye cracked open. He saw the trunks of large trees and the forest ground that he was laying on, and he then realized that he had forcefully been removed from Otogakure. He started to get up, his dark eyes melting into the crimson red of Sharingan. Pain ripped through his body with every step, but he was determined to make the Anbu that had controlled him pay. Nobody took over his body, no matter how long or for what purpose. He faced the blonde female, anger coursing through his body like a deadly sickness. He wasn't sure what terrifying jutsu he would use to punish the Anbu, but that didn't matter to him. All that matter was revenge. All that ever mattered was revenge.

He felt a familiar twinge of pain deep within his body, but he believed that wouldn't stop him this time. And in a way, the avenger was right. The pain of his soul shattering was not what stopped him from attacking the masked Anbu with everything he had. Instead, it was a tanned fist that connected with the side of his head that sent him flying through the air. Sasuke hadn't even noticed that a third had joined up with the two ninja that had kidnapped him, until that third member landed a punch that sent the raven flying through the air. He landed a few feet away and rolled a few times until he finally lost the unwanted momentum. His creamy pale limbs were splayed out awkwardly as he laid stiffly on his side. Then the pain of his soul ripping apart took over, as well as his fatigue from his other injuries. He let out a small groan of pain, eyebrows furrowed and eyes tightly closed, before he was finally swallowed up by blackness.

"Phew. Glad you caught up, and just in time too." Ino said, letting out a long sigh of relief.

She walked over and prodded Sasuke's limp body. "Wow, he's out cold. You really didn't hold back, did you?"

"No, I owed the teme that one," the new arrival said softly. A handsign later, a doppleganger appeared beside him. The two walked over the the subdued raven, hoisted him up, and wrapped Sasuke's limp arms around the two's shoulders, so that the unconscious shinobi was propped up between the two.

"Now," he said slowly, as if he were savoring the words before they left his mouth, "let's go home."

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A/N: I'm sorry if that chapter was confusing or sucky or just plain random or the latter. I really will try my best to keep up with this fic, and I won't make the next update take so freaking long. Please review and let me know what you thought. I hope you can all forgive me for my general sucky-ness. -weak smile-