Kyrie: Hi guys, I'm back! Sorry for the super duper long time it took for me to update. I messed up real bad in the previous chapter and I'll be editing some parts so if you already read that part, you may want to read it again after the edit (I'll get to it before updating to the next chapter). Onto the fic! Also note that one of the changes would be that Hinata will see that there are people inside the building they found and that Kiba will confirm that Sasuke's inside as well.


Chapter III

Prisoner 82

"Wake up" Kabuto released the seal that kept prisoner 82 in his cell "we need someone to entertain our guests."

"How troublesome." The prisoner lazily stood up and motioned to the prisoner down the hall "Why don't you get him instead? I couldn't possibly be more 'entertaining' than him. He's been 'entertaining' me the whole night so I couldn't get enough sleep."

"Mind your language, Hayate." Prisoner 82 has always interested Kabuto. He was one of Oruchimaru-sama's better experiments. Though the processes that made him what he is now were utterly inhumane, he endured, no, welcomed the pain.

Oruchimaru-sama met Hayate a few years ago a prisoner sentenced to death for robbery and murder. He was by all means an ordinary man who wanted to gain power and actually begged Oruchimaru-sama to become one of his test subjects. Though most of the other people they have recruited for the same purpose have died due to infection, illness or driven to insanity like prisoner 83, Hayate proved to be more resilient than even Oruchimaru-sama expected.

And so the experiments continued. After much genetic manipulation, organ transplants, and introduction of DNA from different people with bloodline limits, the once ordinary man who stood before Kabuto is worthy of being called Oruchimaru-sama's masterpiece. Almost.

Oruchimaru-sama was still very much obsessed with training Sasuke to personally supervise the past few experiments. After all, the experiments performed on Hayate were merely part of a greater plan. Although the sharingan was able to copy most jutsus, it was impossible to perform jutsus requiring bloodline limits. Thanks to Hayate, they have perfected the methods for bloodline DNA manipulation and introduction, which will enable Oruchimaru-sama's next body to perform jutsus boosted by various bloodline abilities and bypass the bloodline requirement for special jutsus.

"Well, at least I get some exercise," Hayate was well built, had green hair and eyes, and wore prison clothes despite his real status. Kabuto wondered why, despite being offered better quarters by Oruchimaru-sama, Hayate preferred to be kept in a cell. Every time Kabuto asked Hayate, he would dodge the question.

"You'll be entertaining three genin from Konohagakure, Leaf Village," Kabuto stepped aside to let him pass, "they're outside."

"Outdoors? Be careful not to spoil me," Hayate stepped out of his cell into the corridor. "You've never let me out to fight before. Why the change of mind?"

"Because I need to verify my research, see how you perform in combat situations." Kabuto lied, leading the way through the long winding corridor. Before the last test done on Hayate was over, he was considered much too valuable a subject to be sent to Oruchimaru-sama's attempt at conquering Konoha or to the assassination of the Kazekage and has stayed within the walls of this building ever since he entered. Now that the tests were all successful and all that remains is to gather and compile the data they've collected, Hayate can finally participate more in activities that would further Oruchimaru-sama's goals.


"We have to report this to Tsunade-sama," Shino figured this was not the time to engage in possible combat since it would overstep the parameters of the mission given to them, they had no established plan of attack, and the group was not an optimal candidate for a rescue mission.

"No." There was closure in Naruto's voice. "If we do, they could move out and we'll have to look for them all over again."

"I- I agree with Naruto" Hinata had never spoken up before, for herself or for anyone else for that matter. Shino stared at her behind his tinted glasses.

"Lighten up," Kiba rubbed Akamaru's head, "I think we can take them."

"You don't know what you're talking about. I was appointed leader for this mission and I say we at least go back and get some help." Shino tried to maintain control of the group.

"Then you go back," Naruto replied, "I'll be going in."

"Fine," Shino spoke after a tense silence. If they were going through with this, they had to work together and since the others seem decided he'll have to stay as well. The group was his responsibility. "But you have to follow everything I say, Understood?"

"Okay," Naruto was almost shivering with anticipation. He was finally going to get Sasuke back.


If you want to be as powerful as I am, you must kill your best friend.

Yes, he thought. To avenge his family, to restore his clan, he had to kill him. But when he had the chance to undo all that Itachi had done, he didn't.

Why?

"What's wrong with me?" The demons that plagued him all these years began to torment him again. The many people who had died that day thirteen years ago. His mother and father. And the person he hated the most.

"Avenge me." An apparition appeared before him.

"I... can't," he replied.

"You're too soft." The apparition took a new form. It was him, the reason for everything that went wrong. Sasuke felt trapped; the image's eyes bored right through him. Sasuke suddenly felt cold. He felt fear like he'd never known. He wanted to run but his legs would not respond. In those eyes he could see his own death.

Sasuke awoke in a cold sweat. He was breathing heavily, his heart racing in his chest. His vision was cloudy and his mouth was dry. His body was tense, as if he were ready to fight.

He breathed deep. It was just a dream. He got up, grabbed a towel and walked over to the sink at the far side of the room. The refreshing water felt good on his face.

"Why didn't I do kill that idiot?" he wondered as he looked at his reflection in the water. He had promised himself years ago that he would stop at nothing, and sacrifice everything to become strong; that some day, he might kill the man who had brought him this pain.

Why didn't he kill Naruto? What had kept him from doing it? What held him back? Sasuke's mind clamoured for an answer same the way it had done for months. He punched the mirror in front of him out of frustration, breaking it. He looked in the mirror, and a thousand faces, all belonging to members of the Uchiha clan, looked back.

"I promise," He said, "The next time I see him will be the last."

"Sasuke-kun," a raspy voice spoke. "He's here. I would like to see what progress the two of you have been having so far."

Sasuke turned to face Oruchimaru-sama standing by the door. "Who?"

"Your old friend, Naruto," There was a tinge of excitement in his voice when he spoke.

Friend. Naruto. The words brought back faint memories of a past Sasuke had almost forgotten. Konoha. Kakashi-sensei. Sakura.

Sasuke shook his head. He had made his decision, left that place long ago and he was not coming back.

This was no time for old memories.

He had other things to take care of right now.

He had a friend to kill.


Kyrie: If you notice, this fanfic will diverge from canon sooner or later; In other words, it may not be consistent with the manga or anime right now so please be patient with how I develop the story. I'll try to update as soon as exams are over. Cheers!

Read. Review. Inspire.