Stolen Treasure
Chapter 6: The Snake's Test
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Perspectives: Orochimaru, Snow, Kimimaro, and Kabuto
Orochimaru's Perspective
Two months passed since I first brought my pet into her new life. She'd become relatively tame. On occasion, her fighting nature made an unwanted appearance. Most of her time spent training. I walked into Kabuto's office. He was so deep in thought he didn't notice me.
"Kabuto", I said.
The sign of surprise he gave away were his eyes widening slightly.
"What can I do for you, Lord Orochimaru?" asked Kabuto.
"How's her training coming along?" I asked.
"Well", said Kabuto.
"And her curse mark", I said.
"She's shown no signs of rejection. Her mental state seems unaffected. You don't need me to tell you that. You've kept a closer eye on her than me", said Kabuto.
"Do believe she'll be able to withstand the strain of Ryuchi Cave?" I asked.
He turned in his chair to face me.
"You want to send her there?" asked Kabuto.
"Yes", I said.
"I believe she ready, but take such risk when obtaining her came at such success?" he asked.
"For her to gain further value of course", I said.
"If she returns she'll be more powerful than ever. We may not be able to handle her", said Kabuto.
"She's already surpassed most under my command maybe even you", I said.
Kabuto glared at me.
"Only when transformed can she beat me", he said.
"I will always be able to control her. And Kabuto jealousy is an unflattering emotion. I suggestion you regain control over it", I said.
Kabuto's Perspective
There's no doubt her power is amazing.
"To make sure of her strength I want her to fight you again", said Orochimaru.
I didn't know what to say. The only thing that came to my mind was the last time I battled Hope when she was only partially transformed.
Kabuto's Flash back
Hope screamed as she collapsed. Her skin turned pure white. She rose to all fours. Her eyes were black. Hope snarled revealing a new set of razor-sharp teeth. Her diamond claws raked against the stone floor. A black horizontal diamond appeared across the bridge of her nose and extended across her cheeks.
"This is her full transformation?" I asked.
"No, only her second state. I won't risk pushing her so far just yet. Let's see the power this stage", said Orochimaru.
She slowly stood up.
"Give me that locket I want to test something", said Orochimaru.
I took Hope's locket out of my pocket and handed it to him. Orochimaru opened and put in front of Hope's face.
"Do you recognize this man?" said Orochimaru as he pointed to one of the photos.
She shook her head.
"How?" I asked.
"My mark cuts her off from the memories of her past", said Orochimaru.
"Interesting, but why would you want that", I said.
"If she ever comes in contact with her family in her transformed state she will have no recollection of them and attack without question", said Orochimaru.
"Wouldn't she do that anyway, because of the mark?" I asked.
"She'd fight against its power. I can't have that", said Orochimaru.
It was a clever move, which forced Hope's loyalty. I couldn't help pitying her. Never again will she have full control of herself.
"Let's test her new strength", said Orochimaru.
"You want me to fight her", I said.
He nodded.
"Attack", said Orochimaru.
She was in front of me seconds later. I barely dodged her attack. A large crater was left where she missed. She snarled. In this state, she lacks all that makes her human. Only a mindless beast doing its master's bidding. Her hand signs were a blur.
"Fire style; Dragon's breath",
White fire poured from her mouth, melting the floor. I escaped the flames, but the air was super-heated. It burned my lungs making it difficult to breathe. I was forced to the wall. The ground was too heated for me to risk stepping on. She seemed unaffected by the heat. Hope effortlessly lifted the heaviest piece of lab equipment and threw it at me. It shattered into pieces. The walls cracked as diamond blades climbed rapidly in my direction. They moved more quickly than before. Diamond blades came down from the ceiling until I was forced to the ground
"She's a beast Kabuto, but not brainless", said Orochimaru.
I wanted to test something. I ran to Orochimaru as soon I got only a few feet from him. She appeared in front of me and with a flick of the wrist she had enough power to slam me into the wall. I slowly got up and brushed off some of the dirt.
"Well she's protective over her master", I said.
"It's perfect. Continue my pet", said Orochimaru.
She charged at me. Her diamond claws dragged across my chest. My shadow clone attacked her side. She coughed up blood and was having difficulty breathing. I'd punctured a lung. She channeled her chakra to her hand and healed herself. Hope hasn't broken a sweat during this whole battle and she's still going strong. She attacked me with her claws again and I managed to dodge it. Her claws cut through the rock walls like they were made of butter.
"Diamond chains", said Hope.
Diamond chains wrapped around me and started constricting. I felt my bones snapping.
"Should I kill him master?" asked Hope.
"That won't be necessary my pet", said Orochimaru.
The chains around me released and I took a deep breath.
"So loyal, so respectful she's almost perfect", said Orochimaru.
She smiled at her master's praise. I don't this transformation. It isn't her. Her original form is perfect and powerful as it is Orochimaru shouldn't have given her that mark. He shouldn't have tampered with something, so pure and irreplaceable. I shook my head can't let my mind think like that.
"Heal him", said Orochimaru.
Hope didn't even question why Orochimaru wanted to heal me. She walked over to me and carefully laid me down on my back. Those once cold, black emotionless eyes warmed. Her midnight blue irises appeared but were surrounded by black. She channeled her chakra into my injuries. It only took seconds for my wounds to heal.
"I must do as told. I owe you an apology", said Hope.
Even with so much of Orochimaru's power coursing through body she still shows her kind heart. There's no way that curse mark has complete control of Hope.
"Do you forgive me?" asked Hope.
The regret she felt was real. Regret is something Orochimaru's experiments are normally incapable of showing emotion. Hope is the exception to this. Compared to so many of his other experiments he will never make something like her again.
"Yes", I said.
"Kabuto",
"Sorry, Lord Orochimaru. What do you want again?" I asked.
He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.
"You'll fight Hope. The power of her curse mark won't activate unless she does it herself", said Orochimaru.
"If she does happen that will she have control?" I asked.
"We'll find out", said Orochimaru.
Snow's Perspective
No one came to unlock my cell in the morning. Normally either Orochimaru or Kabuto comes to unlock my cell every morning at seven in the morning. Being locked up in here forces to be alone with my thoughts and the pain in my heart. I brushed my hair and put in the hair comb Kimi gave me. I slid off my long glove. I bit my thumb. Even with this collar, I should have enough chakra to summon her.
"Summoning jutsu", I said.
There was a little puff of smoke and Pearl appeared in my lap. She glared at me.
"Why are you giving me that look?" I asked.
Pearl jumped from my lap, turning her back to me.
"I'm sorry for not summoning you in a long time", I said.
Pearl flew onto my lap and allowed me to pet her feathers. A friendly face was so rare here. I was so tempted to use her as a messenger. I couldn't tell them where I was.
"Have you seen Kakuzu lately?" I asked.
She shook her head no and let out a sad squawk. I heard someone walking toward my cell.
"What a pretty little bird", said Orochimaru.
Pearl panicked and disappeared in a puff of smoke. Such a cowardly bird. I walked to the door.
"You're late", I said.
"I had to speak with Kabuto", he said.
A chill went down my spine. Those two together is nothing good.
"You scared my friend", I said.
"You shouldn't have summoned that bird in the first place", said Orochimaru.
"What do you want from me?" I asked.
"Someone's impatient", said Orochimaru.
I tapped my fingers against the bars.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"Today, you'll fight Kabuto", said Orochimaru.
I smiled.
"Not that I'm complaining but why?" I asked.
"Only an assessment of your strength", he said.
There's has to be something more to it than that. But he won't tell me.
"Will you make me transform?" I asked.
"No", said Orochimaru.
I followed him to the courtyard where Kabuto waited. Fighting him will be a good way to blow off some steam. Both us were training hard. I didn't know his reasoning. Maybe he wants to impress Orochimaru. It will take time but I will eventually surpass him. I don't care how long it will take.
"It finally time for our rematch", said Kabuto.
This battle holds little importance to me, but I won't let him win. Orochimaru sat on a nearby bench and waited for the show to begin. Neither Kabuto or I made a move. The only movement was a light sea breeze going through the grass. The first move is mine. I quickly performed hands signs that Kabuto recognized. White snakes shot from sleeves and toward Kabuto. He dodged the attack with ease. He grabbed a kunai and cut the snakes' heads. All except one. Kabuto opened its mouth.
"Diamond fangs very interesting, but no venom", said Kabuto before he snapped the snake's neck.
He charged in my direction. He did the signs for chakra scalpels. I don't know what effect this would have on my diamond skin. It would be best to dodge the attack and avoid the risk. Why would he attack me with taijutsu he knows I have the advantage? I tried kicking him and only missed him by a few centimeters.
"I will give you this, Hope you do have the advantage in taijutsu", said Kabuto.
He's right about that. I might have the advantage in taijutsu, but if I make a single mistake he will use it against me. If he touches my skin when it isn't diamond I will lose motion in that limb.
Kabuto's Perspective
"Summoning jutsu",
What did she summon? A cloud of white crows swarmed the sky above us.
"Razor Wings",
Thousands of crows dived in my direction. Thier wings were edged with sharpened diamond. They swarmed around me shredding my clothes and skin. My skin healed as cuts appeared. So that's her plan. Having me waste my chakra on healing, so she'll have the advantage. One of the birds yanked at my belt. I swatted it away. Suddenly the birds stopped. I stood in a forest of diamond blades. The crows perched among them. Where is their master? Six clones shot from the ground I threw a kunai at one. It dissolved into crows.
"More crows. You must have more than that", I said.
The remaining clones surrounded me. They stood motionless. If she isn't up, east, west, or south which means she must be underground. I slammed my hand into the ground and pulled Hope by her hair. But that Hope turned into crows too. I felt a diamond kunai against my throat and diamond chains wrapping around my body.
Snow's Perspective
The battle was not near as satisfying as I wanted. Too easy. Did he let me win? Does it matter? Maybe I should have dragged it out more.
"Got you", I said before I licked my lips.
Why did I just do that? I have never done that before.
"Looks like you've taken on some of your master habits", said Kabuto.
I released him. Behind me, I heard Orochimaru chuckling from his seat.
"Why?" I asked.
"With his chakra, you may have inherited some of his habits as well", said Kabuto.
"I never wanted his chakra in the first place. You took that choice away from me", I said.
"Who taught you that summoning jutsu?" asked Kabuto.
"My older brother taught me", I said.
"You have an older brother?" asked Kabuto.
"Yes, she has a powerful older brother, Itachi Uchiha", said Orochimaru.
"Why didn't mention that before?" asked Kabuto.
"I didn't see why it would be important", I said.
"I have to say that battle was far less interesting than it could be", said Orochimaru.
Orochimaru led me back to my cell.
"I want you to pack up what little supplies you have", said Orochimaru.
"Why?" I asked.
"You'll be out of my care for some time", he said.
He's letting me leave his supervision. It can't be.
"Where?" I asked.
"It's a surprise", said Orochimaru.
"I hate surprises", I said.
"I love them. Rest for now", he said.
Where ever I'm going it will better than spending any more time with Orochimaru. I packed the few things I had and settled down on my cot. Someone came walking down the hall. Kabuto maybe.
"There's no need for that", said a voice I recognized as Kimimaro.
"Kimi, your back!", I said.
"Yes, I'm back", said Kimi.
I couldn't help laughing at the noticeable crack in his voice.
"Sorry, but I can't help it", I said.
"It's not funny", said Kimimaro his voice cracked again.
"Yes, it is", I said.
He gave me an annoyed look, but it didn't last for long. He could never stay angry with me and I could never stay angry at him. But Kimimaro has never given me a reason to be upset with him.
"Come closer silly", I said.
He moved closer. I put my arms through the bars and hugged him tightly.
"This is extremely uncomfortable", said Kimimaro.
I released my grip on him.
"It might be uncomfortable, but that doesn't mean I want you to stop", said Kimimaro.
I gave him one more and then let go of him.
"I missed you so much, Kimi", I said,
"I missed you too, Hope. I don't know why my voice cracking, so much", said Kimimaro.
"Stand up Kimi", I said.
He has grown a little taller. I started laughing again.
"What's so funny?" asked Kimimaro.
"The reason why your voice is cracking, so much is that you're going through puberty", I said.
His face turned pink. It was so cute seeing him like this.
"What's wrong Hope?" asked Kimimaro.
"I'm going to be leaving soon. Orochimaru is sending me somewhere for training", I said.
"Well at least we get to spend some time together since I'm only here for today", said Kimimaro.
"Why are you even here Kimi?" I asked.
"I had to come here for testing", said Kimimaro.
"Are you healthy?" I asked.
"As far as I know I'm healthy Hope", said Kimimaro.
"I want to give you something", I said.
"What?" asked Kimimaro.
I looked around to make sure no one around. I cut my hand.
"Summoning jutsu", I said.
Pearl appeared and so did her summoning contract. There were only a few names on the contract Kakuzu, Itachi, and I.
"This is Pearl", I said.
"What does she do?" asked Kimimaro.
"She's a companion and messenger", I said.
"Orochimaru will be angry at you if he finds out about her", said Kimimaro.
"He knows that I won't use her as a messenger because I'm afraid of his punishment", I said.
"How do I get her?" asked Kimimaro.
"Bite your thumb and sign this contract", I said.
He bit his thumb and wrote it on the summoning contract. He tried the jutsu and Pearl appeared in his arms.
"Thank you", said Kimimaro.
"No problem", I said.
"So if I want to send you something all I have to do is summon her and she will bring the message to you", said Kimimaro.
"Yes, give it a try", I said.
He bit his thumb.
"Summoning jutsu", said Kimimaro.
The only difference between the Pearl he summoned was his was a little smaller. She perched on his shoulder and cuddled into his cheek.
"Why is she, so kind to me?" asked Kimimaro.
"She's always kind to her to the one who summons her", I said.
"Hope, who are the other names on the contract?" asked Kimimaro.
"They are people who are close to me. I only let people I trust and care about sign it", I said.
"Kimimaro", yelled Orochimaru.
"You better go. I don't want you getting in trouble", I said.
"Bye", said Kimimaro as he left.
Kimimaro's Perspective
I followed his voice.
"You wanted me Lord Orochimaru", I said.
"What were you talking about with her?" asked Orochimaru.
I felt nervous was I in trouble? I never wanted to make him angry.
"Don't worry Kimimaro. I'm not upset I'm actually happy that you and my pet are getting along, so well", said Orochimaru.
"If you don't mind me asking Lord Orochimaru why are you happy about my friendship with Hope?" I asked.
"It's good for her to have friends", said Orochimaru.
I let out a sigh of relief.
"What happened to your thumb?" asked Orochimaru.
"Hope taught me a new jutsu", said Kimimaro.
"Show me", said Orochimaru.
"Summoning jutsu",
Pearl appeared on my shoulder and nuzzled against my cheek. I felt Pearl shiver against me.
"And who is this?" asked Orochimaru.
"Her name is Pearl", I said.
"Hope really trusts you", said Orochimaru.
"Lord Orochimaru, can I keep Pearl?" I asked.
"You may. In fact, I want you to keep in contact with Hope while she's training", he said.
"Thank you Lord Orochimaru", I said.
Kabuto's Perspective
Kimimaro walked out of Orochimaru's office with a white crow on his shoulder. The crow flew off of Kimimaro's shoulder and started peaking my head.
"Call off your stupid bird", I said as the bird continued to peak me.
Kimimaro was laughing loudly.
"Pearl here", he said.
The bird landed back on his shoulder.
"Control your damn pet. The next time it comes near me I will snap its neck", I said.
"Good girl Pearl", said Kimimaro as he petted the crow's head.
I walked into Orochimaru's office.
"Why is Kimimaro in such a good mood?" I asked.
"I allowed him to keep his new pet and allowed his friendship with Hope", said Orochimaru.
"Why?" I asked.
"Since you have failed in gaining her trust I can use her friendship with Kimimaro against her. It's easy to control someone pure of heart when I have her friend under my control. The more their friendship grows the more control I have over her", said Orochimaru.