A Breath Of Fresh Air


"It was you who saved me..."

What? How could I-

Her eyes grew wide as his face inched closer to her own. She tried to back away a little, but her back hit the glass tube behind her. The bleaching green light made sparkles dance in Orochimaru's eyes and she was captivated. Like a mouse when it looks into the eyes of a predator for the first time. But slowly, his eyes began to flutter closed and all she knew or felt was the sensation of his lips on her own. How soft they were, how sweet. They moved over her own in a slow rythm, inviting her to join, but she refused. She was glad his eyes were closed; he couldn't see the pink tint of her cheeks. A few seconds passed and he retreated, backing away slightly to capture her gaze once more.

She should have been mad. She should have been steaming at what he had just done. And she probably was.

Softly, he fingered locks from her semi-wet bangs away from her face and cupped her cheek in his hand. He watched as she moved her mouth, trying to form words, but all that came out was her shakey breath. "I love you, Hinata."

? "W-What did you just say?" This time, her voice came out, though a little more high-pitched than she would have liked. She wanted to look angry. She wanted to have the strength to push him away from her and go back home. To do something. But she couldn't. She couldn't and she didn't know why. Her body just wouldn't let her. She watched him in disbelief when his thumb stroked her temple and he laughed.

"I said I love you, Hinata." He stated it matter-or-factly; as if this had been true for the longest time and she should have known it by now. She zoned out for a minute and played the scene over and over inside of her head. In her mind, she placed her fingers to her lips.

My...first...kiss.

She wasn't as stupid as people liked to believe her to be. If she really tried, she could be as smart as Sakura. But Hinata didn't like Sakura. She was nothing like the pink haired kunoichi. Hinata knew this was not her first kiss. Her father had stolen that from her agonizingly. But he was dead to her now. For all she knew, he was dead. She wasn't going to let him get to her like he had done in her previous childhood. She was a changed woman.

Reality pounded into her skull. She shook her head almost violently and grasped his wrist to pry his warm hand away from her trembling face. It burned against her. He stayed calm, allowing her her space when she sidestepped and back-paced towards a wall. "How is that possible? We've just met!" Though her face burned scarlet and tears threatened to fall from her pale eyes, she held her ground. She was tired of being weak. Tired of being walked on. Taken advantage of.

"I'm not taking advantage of you, Hinata. I am merely speaking the truth."

Oh, so he's a mind reader now? She watched him stand up and turn to face her. He was a good bit taller than her, she noticed, a little late. His perfectly straight, perfectly black hair fell in streams down his shoulders and back to his waist. His shoulders were wide and his waist was thin. He looked of all the world to me a woman, but his firm jaw and rippling muscles and that damned masculine smirk he always seemed to have were clear signs he was not. Once again, her gaze travelled back to his eyes and observed the purple eyelids under thin bangs. He was unique; unlike any man she had ever seen.

"Where am I? Why am I here? What do you want with me?" Hinata tried her best to sound angry, but she only recognized the tremor of fear in her own voice and it made her want to cry. Her father was right, she was weak. Whether she wanted to admit it or not.

Orochimaru looked bored as she asked her questions. Though they seemed like good questions to her, they were of little urgency to him. "You are in my home. You are here because I saved you, and I only wish for you to stay here until you are feeling better."

She remained silent. His answers were so... vague. He took a few steps towards her and she backed away. Orochimaru frowned. She had every reason to be upset, but he saved her life, for Kami's sake! "I'm not going to hurt you, Lady Hinata. Why would I hurt the one I love?"

"Stop saying that. You don't love me!"

"Oh, but I do. You may not accept that now, but in time you will. I promise you." She was tired. Tired of his tender words and loving caresses. It was overpowering her senses and giving her a migraine. Her entire being ached. Why..? Why does he love me..? No one loves me! She shook her head again and frowned. Everything was happening so fast, so suddenly. She didn't know what to think. What to feel. What to do. All she could do was stand there and look into his golden eyes that seemed to know everything.

A few moments of silence fell upon them. Hinata's stomach growled with her forgotten hunger and she blushed. He offered her his hand and she only stared at it, remembering the butterflies it gave her. "You must be hungry."

"I'm not hungry", she lied, knowing he knew.

"But that is why you left my room, is it not?"

How does he know everything about me? She scowled at how he knew everything about her and she knew nothing of him. But she wanted to know. She wanted to know what kind of person had saved her that day. What kind of man had kissed her, fallen in love with her even. This Orochimaru man. He was a storm of mystery in the hellish rainstorm that was her life.

"I'll tell you all you need to know over dinner... Is that okay with you, Lady Hinata?"

Hesitantly, but not uncautiously, she nodded. She did not grasp his hand, and it seemed as though he did not care. He just began walking toward the large door that led to the confusing and cold hallway. "Coming, My Lady?" And she followed like a lost puppy dog begging for a treat.


"So... This is the famous Hinata I've heard so much about... It's a pleasure to meet you, My Lady. My name is Kabuto. Just ask me if you need anything, okay?"

The Hyuuga stared up at the man with white hair and glasses. He had this strange aura about him. Like he was a part of something much larger than anyone realised. Yet, he was kind and had a warm smile. He bowed to her and began shovelling food onto her plate before retreating back into the kitchen.

"Y-You... fixed all of this..?"

He smiled and nodded. "Yes. I did. I cook for eveyone here." Hinata fiddled her fingers in her lap as she looked around the large dining room. So... there are others here as well? Are they like me? Or are they like...


Orochimaru watched her from across the table. She was so confused, so lost, so intrigued. Everything was new to her. He smirked and placed his head in his hand as he stared. How wonderful it will be to train her... To teach her how to please and perform... He pouted when his pants tightened. Just a little longer, and she will be mine... After filling Hinata's plate, Kabuto moved to serve his master. Orochimaru just glared unemotionally at the wonderful food. He wasn't hungry. How could he be? His entire future rested in the hands of the girl across from him. It was all right there, ripe for the taking. But he would wait. Rushing into things would only scare her away. He needed time. Time to seduce, to gain her trust. To convence her to stay. The thought did summersaults in his head and he grinned a sharp-toothed grin. All in good time...


... like Lord Orochimaru? She shuddered at the very thought. Hinata was uncomfortable with the way he was staring at her. She was certain he had plans for her that she didn't want to know. Daintily, she took her chopsticks in hand and sampled some of her meal. "Thank you very much for the food! ...Umm... I'm sorry, what was your name again..?"

Kabuto sat down next to Orochimaru and began grabbing his own food. "Kabuto."

"Oh..." The room was silent. Too silent. It reminded her of the dinners she had with her father and sister and it made her nervous. "So... Whare are we?" Looking around as she said it, she took in the high ceilings and decorated walls. The china was shiny and clean, set out for hundreds. "And... Who all lives in this home with you?"

Seemingly pleased of her break of silence, Orochimaru came to life instantly. "In the Village of Sound. It is quite a distance from Konoha, but I think you'll grow to love it. This is my home, but it is rather large. There are many others, all of whom I've rescued from peril or homelessness or death and raised them as my own. They are like my children..." He lied. Children? What bullshit... They will never be my children. They are weak. Disposable. But she mustn't know that just yet. I have to create an illusion of the perfect home. "I train them; use their special talents and make them stronger."

Things seemed to be clearing up for Hinata. At least she knew where she was and what kind of a man Orochimaru was. She felt safer, if but a little worried about her future. "How long am I staying here?"

"That is entirely up to you once you heal completely, Hinata. You may leave, if you wish, whenever you like. I am not going to keep you here."

By the tone of his voice and the expression on his face, she could tell he was not lieing. She let out a sigh of relief. At least I am not captive here... After a few bites of food, she asked, "Are you a Lord?"

"...You could say that... I do posess a lot of money and power in this village, yes."

"Oh." The silence was very awkward. After all that had just happened, she felt as if she was on a blind date. How stupid of me to think that... It was only one kiss! And it meant nothing to me! "Where am I going to stay?"

"There are many rooms in this house. I have prepared one for you, if you do not wish to stay in the room you were dwelling previously." He smirked as the familiar color of her emberassment rose to her face and the way she ate her food a little faster.

"But- that's your room... Orochimaru..."

"It could be our room, if you would like it to be, Hinata."

Hinata stared expectantly at Kabuto, like he would object and say exactly what she felt. That it was wrong. Immoral, even. That is shouldn't have been said. But he only nodded.

"Yes, Lady Hinata. His room is the nicest and the largest. You will have no trouble there."

TROUBLE? She highly disagreed. Orochimaru was nothing but trouble at this point. She was scared to be left in a room with him. What if he told her he loved her agian? What is she believed him? She shook her head. How can he say such things? How can he speak those words and make me feel like he cares for me? It's not right. He's so much older than me! We just met! Suddenly, the thought of her father flashed into her mind for a split second. "No. I would NOT like that."

Orochimaru seemed rather patient and understanding. Like a father. But... I have a father already... Father. She didn't even know what that word meant anymore. Never in her life had she thought of him as a real father. He never did anything a father should do. Cold glances and icey words were all she was given. He favored her sister, that much was certain. As far as he was concerned, she was another weed in the garden.

But she couldn't go back home.

She knew it was true. If she ever went back home, she would be raped or killed, or beaten and broken and battered. All like before... She began to feel trapped. No matter where she was, she was not happy. Not with her family, not with this man. There was no place familiar to her. No place filled with love and compassion.

But... He said...

She pushed his words to the back of her mind. Her mother loved her, and she died. Her father said it, and then Hanabi was born. Hanabi said it, but she only did it out of pity. Neji never said it. Her team mates didn't need to say it, and her sensei was oblivious. Even Naruto, whom she loved, would never say it.

Orochimaru said it. And it seemed as though he meant it.

But to her it was impossible. She was not born to have love. She was born to be used, neglected, ignored. But not loved.

Never loved.

Orochimaru noticed that she was not eating any more and stood up. "I will show you to your room, if you would like." Hinata snapped out of her thoughts and smiled, even if she was not feeling like she wanted to, she smiled for his sake. He was, after all, housing her and clothing her and feeding her. She could at least show some respect for that.

She would always smile.

For everyone.

"That would be nice... Thank you..."

Orochimaru offered her his arm that time, and she took it. After all, it was not as if he harmed her in any way. She was shocked and disgusted at her lack of manners and common sense. But he led her thought the hallways and it was nice. The cool floors, and blue lume of the candles on the white walls. They all comforted her. Made her feel strangely at home. He chuckled and she was curious. "Exactly where are you taking me, Lord Orochimaru?"

"To one of my favorite places." He opened a door, and a rush of fresh air filled her nostrils. A cool breeze wrapped her body, and moonlight poured down on them.

They were outside.

Hinata ran a little ways in front of him and looked up at the stars with a smile. It seemed like forever ago that she had seen the outside world. Even if it was nightfall, the grass and the trees seemed to dance and be alive and vibrant under the moonlight and she stars shone as brightly as the sun itself, reflecting in her pearl eyes. Orochimaru watched as she admired it all. He remembered when he thought the world was beautiful. Back when he was young and nieve.

Back before his parents died.

He smiled a little. "You seem to enjoy the forest."

Sheepishly, Hinata turned her back to him and crouched down to caresss a flower. "I suppose... It's been a while for me. It feels like I've been out for days!"

"A week and a half, actually." Slowly and carefully, he approached and sat down next to her. He looked up at the stars and felt nothing.

Hinata reluctantly sat as well and tried to figure out what was so mesmerizing about this place to him. It was just a forest. Nothing special about it. It looked just like the ones you would see any where else, in Konoha or any of the other great villages. "Why is this your favorite place?" He shrugged and kept looking towards the sky. She noticed a certain distance in his eyes, like he could not relate to her questions. "I remember looking up at the stars just like this... with my mother..."

Orochimaru looked at her and all at once, emotion came rushing back. Hinata could see it. "Is you mother anything like your bastard of a father?" His tone was flat and uncaring, like someone asking how the weather was nice to someone they didn't know on a bad day. It was true. He wasn't a nice man. She loved to think of him as a batard as well.

"No. Never. Back when she was alive, she took care of me and loved me. She would sing me to sleep at night and kiss me good morning every day. Papa was there, and he tried his best to get to know me. But it seemed like no matter what I did, it was never enough for him... Moma told me that he was just tired from work, but I've never seen him work a day in his life. I don't even know what he does." She smiled, a tear drop running down her pale cheek. "...Then, one day, Mama set me outside, in the grass, and we looked at the stars just like now... She told me that she was pregnant and I remember being so mad... I told her I hated her and stormed away." Orochimaru wiped another tear that fell from her cheek.

"I'm sorry this brings back terrible memories for you. Would you like to go back inside?"

Hinata shook her head. "No thank you. If it is alright, I would like to stay a little longer..." He nodded his agreement and took her petite hand into his. Surprisingly, she did not protest or pull away. She seemed content with it, and he grinned a sexy grin to himself.

"I would never hurt you, Hinata." Hinata's heart slammed in her chest. Her body heated up and her heartrate increased. Those words again. The ones that promise me happiness and love. Why must he keep saying them? Tears threatened to fall again but she held them back this time.

"...Why did you save me that day?"

"Because I love you."

"Stop saying that! Why must you say that? Why do you keep doing it?" Her hands shook and he grasped them tighter. She wanted to run away, but knew it would be useless. She would get nowhere. Orochimaru ran a hand through her hair and placed a light kiss on her forehead. She had had enough stress and confusion for one day. He whispered a silent jutsu and soon the girl was asleep in his arms.


Tsunade grimaced at what she had to say. All of the jonnin and chunnin and ANBU ranked nin were gathered around in the conference room of her Hokage mansion. Hiashi, Shizune, and Jiraiya were at her sides for support. Everyone looked confused as to why they were there. She knew that pretty soon, they would wish they still were.

"Dedicated ninja of Konoha, I have brought you here today to discuss a matter of great importance." Everyone in the room fell silent to hear her, and she swallowed a lump in her throat. "About four months ago, a very evil man by the name of Orochimaru attacked this village and killed the Third Hokage." Everyone glared at the memory, along with herseelf. "We ran him off that time. But now, I am sorry to say that he has done something else to insult out great nation..."

"What is it this time, Tsunade-sama?" Kakashi asked, trying to keep calm as best as he could.

"He has kidnapped Hinata Hyuuga, heiress to the Hyuuga clan. We do not know what his plans with her are just yet, but we must act quickly so that we can retrieve her before it is too late." The entire room went into flames. People yelled and slammed fists onto the table. Others were deadly silent with rage in their eyes.

Hiashi stood in front of them and grinned. Everyone was making this man the bad guy. No one would ever know his dirty little secret. For all he wished, his stupid eldest daughter was dead.

Asuma and Kurenai stood up. "What do you propose we do about this, Lady Tsunade? Our village cannot take another war at this point. It is far too early. MOst of the village is still in ruin!"

Tsunade clenched her fists. "I know that." She stayed silent for a moment. "The only thing we can do is wait a while. Build our strengh and attack his village full force."

Hiashi plastered a fake look of worry and fear. "How long must we wait? My daughter is in danger!"

"That, I do not know, Hiashi. We must all be patient. This act of theivery insults the entire village. Not just you." He shut his mouth and went back into the shaddows. Soon... Very soon, I will get revenge on the man that took my arm...