Guilt of Innocence
By
Chosha Kurenai
Important Note:
This is the unbeta'd version of the chapter. Once Beta'd, the chapter will be replaced by the Beta'd version. If the chapter has been edited by a Beta, there will be a note proclaiming it Beta'd and who by in replacement of this notice.
Summery:
It is well known that Sasuke abandoned Konoha in his pursuit of power to join Orochimaru. However, this was only a cover story. In fact, Sasuke went there on Tsunade's orders to act as Konoha's informant within Otogakure. One agreement and his path had changed forever…
Disclaimer:
I, Chosha Kurenai, hereby swear that ownership of Naruto and its entire relating media belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. Guilt of innocence is fan fiction only and is written purely for entertainment and not meant as infringement of any rights belonging to the neither artist nor companies who created them. Please support the official anime/manga releases.
Chapter Seven
Passing of the Years
For Sasuke, the first few days in Oto were surprisingly boring. Considering who exactly he was dealing with, Sasuke had almost expected to be put on training right away, questioned about Konoha and have him mess further with the cursed seal on his neck. However, to Sasuke's surprise, he was pretty much left alone. Kabuto had mentioned something about the strain of using the second level of the seal on his body, that had already taken a beating, had caused some damage and unless he wanted it to have eroded at him further, he should be in top shape for when 'Orochimaru-sama' began to train him.
And Sasuke quickly decided he was never, ever calling Orochimaru 'sama'. Hell, he didn't even call Kakashi 'sensei' like his other teammates did, do why on earth would he call Orochimaru that? Thankfully, it seemed that Orochimaru wasn't about to scold him for it, though he was sure if he had been anyone other than an Uchiha he would have been beaten to a bloody pulp already.
So due to his need to heal, with the only real reason to leave being to visit Kabuto to have his bandages changed, Sasuke found himself staying in his room mostly. He had already been gifted with a new wardrobe that consisted of robe-like clothing and already Sasuke had imprinted the backs of several gi with his clan symbol. If he couldn't show loyalty to Konoha he could at least show loyalty to his clan. Thankfully, again, he wasn't forced to wear the Oto musical note symbol. Since Sasuke was Orochimaru's 'apprentice' (which he knew damned well meant his next vessel), so Sasuke forwent any hitae ate what so ever. He had also been gifted with a sword. Rather than a Katana, it was a Chokuto, around the same length as a Katana, but the blade was straighter than an ordinary katana ad there was no guard on the handle. In fact, if sheathed, it looked almost like a long black stick. He kept it slid into his rope-like belt when he wasn't testing it out the weight and feel of the blade, being mindful of his still healing injuries. Still, apart from light self done exercises, Sasuke had not been asked the begin training yet and if he asked he was told to rest.
Still, all this time Sasuke pent in his room was useful for something in that he was able to be filled in on Naruto and his team. It seemed that Tsunade didn't want to keep him isolated as it seemed every time he looked at the scroll he had a message. Perhaps she felt bad for sending a thirteen-year-old Genin into Orochimaru's 'care' or she thought that being entirely separated from conversations with people he could actually trust with only manipulative people who only cared about him as Orochimaru's next vessel was actually mentally scarring.
Sasuke scoffed at the thought. He was already scarred for life, how would this make any difference?
Still, it got him information he wanted as he looked at the scroll currently open in front of him:
-So that's all you have so far?-Tsunade's handwriting appeared across the page.
-So far-Sasuke wrote back. –I'll see what else I can find, but Orochimaru seems to be planning to moves bases soon. Something about better training facilities and something about a few projects of his. I let you know.-
-And your injuries-
Could be better, He was tempted to write, but decided against it. -Healing.-He wrote back, before pausing, tapping the pen against his lip. –What about on your end? I'd heard that Konoha the group that went with Naruto killed the Sound Four and Kimimaro. Any casualties?-
-No one died. We had a few close calls with Neji, Chouji and Kiba, mostly with Neji, but we got to them in time, so they should all make a full recovery.-
Sasuke hesitated for a moment, then wrote, -What about Naruto?-
-He's recovered, at least physically. Though he is more determined to be able to bring you back. He went with Jiraiya for the soul purpose of training to do just that. You have a good friend in him, Sasuke.-
-I know- Sasuke wrote after a long pause. He didn't really want to think back on the battle too much. –What about Sakura? Is she still training with Kakashi then?-
-I've taken her on as an apprentice- That surprised him a little. Sakura hadn't shown an interest in medical jutsu. Then again, she rarely seemed to take ninja training seriously. Perhaps he had paused too long, but Tsunade elaborated. Your leaving and Naruto's decision on training seemed to have inspired her. She has potential- Well at least something good came out of this, Sasuke couldn't help but think. –If things continue to progress, it would seem that your team will end up a second generation of Sannin.-
Well that was a lofty compliment. Still, Sasuke wrote back –I'm not interested in toying with people's lives.-He hadn't seem much of what Orochimaru did just yet, but from the screams he had heard, it made him feel sick to the stomach to think on it. The Screams reminded him too much of those of his family's when Itachi cut them down.
-One Orochimaru is far too many as it is- Tsunade agreed and Sasuke could almost imagine her frowning.
-And Kakashi?- Sasuke couldn't help but wonder how he felt stripped of all his students. Probably happy, because he'll have more time to read those porn books of his, Sasuke thought, wrinkling his nose in distaste at the thought of those little orange books that Kakashi always seemed to have with him.
-He has his own missions to take care of- Tsunade said. –Anyway, watch your back, Uchiha. And report back when you have more information-
-Understood-
As his last words faded from the paper to appear with Tsunade, Sasuke rolled the scroll up again and tucked it into his gi once more. Second Generation of Sannin? He wondered what Naruto and Sakura thought of that.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
As predicted, Orochimaru had indeed had them move from the first base as soon as Sasuke was well enough to move a long distance without the breakdown from the Cursed seal or the injuries from his battle with Naruto interfering. He discovered at the very least there were four main bases – the North, south, east and west bases in Rice Country, though there could very well be other sub-bases dotted around. He wasn't sure. He would look into that once his presence in Oto was commonplace and it wouldn't be so suspicious to ask or look into it personally. Either way, the next base was further away from the border of the country and just as well hidden. If Tsunade had sent other ninja after Sasuke, even if it was only for the purpose of keeping their cover, they probably wouldn't be able to find this place unless they knew where they were looking.
Hence his job, it seemed.
"Welcome to your new home, Sasuke-kun," Orochimaru said with a slight curving to his (currently) only visible eye and Sasuke knew that he was smirking. Sasuke made it a point to ignore the obvious dark humour in his voice to observe his surroundings as they continued through the new base.
The base was a little like the one he had left, not just in its appearance, but the general feel of it. The corridors were winding and maze-like, spanning for what seemed like miles, lit by flickering torches rather than electricity, making the Shadows in stark contrast to the walls dance and move like darkened demons. As they came closer to where Orochimaru conducted his experiments Sasuke could see the hunched forms of hopeless victims huddled behind bars, little more than lab rats in ripped clothing. Sasuke's hands itched to unlock the doors, but refrained. It wouldn't do to blow his cover so soon after all.
Finally they came out of the tunnels, an odd, redish glow seemed to light the rooms, not from any torches, but from large tube-like structures, hundreds of them littered the room, some that looked to be filled with water (or something similar) and others dully glowing with liquid vermillion. Some were empty, while some were filled with mutated, monstrous looking forms that had obviously once been human now twisted beyond recognition.
Sasuke tore his eyes away, fighting back a shiver at the sight, once more wondering just who in their right mind would come here of their own will, or if some of these people had never even had the choice.
As he turned his eyes away, he was sure he could feel someone watching him, the tiny hairs on the back of his head standing on end and he looked around at where he was sure he could feel the sight coming from and was sure he saw violet coloured eyes a moment in one of the tubes, but they were gone when he looked, causing him to frown. What was that….?
"What are those," Sasuke asked bluntly. Sasuke seemed to be the only person who could get away with being so blunt and disrespectful to Orochimaru and he was making the most of it. No way in hell he was calling him 'sama'. The only person he had ever even used the suffix 'sama' for was the Hokage. He had promised himself to never call him 'Sama' when he had first arrived after all. Either way, he was sure something in one of them was watching him, and he wanted to know what it was that seemed to be watching him in this place
"Ah, I see you've noticed my little pet projects," Orochimaru said, his eye curving and Sasuke resisted the urge to try and smack the stupid smirk off his face.
Pet projects? He thought in disgust.
However, Orochimaru didn't seem to notice, or chose not to as he continued. "Pay them no mind. They are just to help….unravel the truths of this world. But they're nothing you should be concerned about. Its….inconsequential"
He's just toying with them. Toying with human lives like they're nothing! Sasuke clenched his jaw, the hand at his side tightening, a righteous anger welling up inside him, a familiar feeling in this dark, unfamiliar madness his life had become. And for what? To discover the truth behind truths? What truths? How can any of this mean anything? To find some twisted semblance of immorality? Why is it he's been left to his own devices for so long? Why has nothing been done about him sooner?
"Are you interested in my pet projects?" Orochimaru asked, either not noticing Sasuke's dark expression or thinking it was for other reasons and choosing to ignore it.
"No," he said shortly. "They're an eyesore."
"Ah yes, I suppose you're more interested in getting strong to kill Itachi," Orochimaru said, almost amused.
The usual burn of anger flared at the mention of his brother, but he ignored it, pushing it down. Continuously reminding him of his burden to avenge his clan he's used to get him there (or so he thought) and it was obvious he wanted him to stay there until the three years were up so that Sasuke could become his vessel. Though its sad, now I can see it for what it is. "Hn."
"Or is it that you feel sorry for them?" Orochimaru asked. Sasuke forced himself not to tense. Well he was called a genius, of course he noticed. "You still have that Konoha weakness. Soft-heartedness like that will only hold you back from your goal of Killing Itachi. You'll need to purge yourself of that weakness," Orochimaru said as he started to move away again.
Feeling the eyes on him again, he looked around, this time seeing the purple eyes again before they melted back into the water. Frowning faintly, he moved to follow Orochimaru again. There was someone there who was still alive within all those weird forms. A kekkei genkai that turned you into liquid, perhaps?
Maybe he'll look into that later…..
"When the time comes, I'll be heartless, when it comes to him," Sasuke said.
Orochimaru smirked as he looked over his shoulder. "We'll see about that, Sasuke-kun. As it is, I'll teach you to quell such softness. I will show you true power, Sasuke-kun."
For a moment he watched him head towards the darkness of the tunnels for a moment before he continued to follow him again, the hand at his side clenching.
When the time comes, I'll be heartless when I deal with you, too.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Training with Orochimaru was harder than any training he had ever done alone, not that Sasuke had expected otherwise. Once his wounds had healed enough that Sasuke could move through Kata again without injuring himself further, Orochimaru had thrown him into a rigorous training regime. He was quite sure that a lot of his methods bordered on the illegal for anyone who wasn't already a Jonin, if this had been any ordinary village. But this was not an ordinary village, so that was moot point brought up from an exhausted mind. So for the most part a lot of his time for the first few months after switching to this new base had been training till he dropped, pushing himself further than he thought possible, and after eating more or less collapsing onto his bed in utter exhaustion, only to do it all over again. As it was, he was at least glad that Orochimaru had never tried to use experiments or drugs on him either. He could chalk that up to his being the next vessel and he would need Sasuke's body to be as strong as it could be of his own power – drugs or whatever else he used on those lab rats would probably just make him a less of a permanent vessel that Orochimaru wished for in the long run. There was no ay he wanted to lose his Sharingan after all.
Somehow he managed to get some information to Konoha through the scroll, but in all honesty, he wasn't even sure how he had been able to pick up the pen to write them. Quite often he found his reports were responded by a question after his health from a concerned Tsunade, because his normally neat writing shook or was slanted on the page, but in all honesty it was because he was so exhausted that even his neat and tidy tendencies had gone out the window.
In all honesty, neatness was the least of his worries, so Sasuke had resigned himself to adding that he was only tired in his reports just so Tsunade would stop bothering him about his health.
Still, soon Sasuke began to get used to the training. It was hard, and still pushed him to his limits further than Sasuke had ever pushed himself either, but Sasuke could see progress in not only his endurance, but in his chakra stores and abilities. Working with what he knew, he had managed to increase his speed to practically Shunshin levels without actually using said jutsu, and his sword skills were increasing. Also, he found that he could control the cursed seal much better now, though he was still careful not to overdo it. He didn't want to lose himself to it after all, but he was still in full control of himself and Sasuke saw that as definitely a good thing. He also began to wonder if perhaps Orochimaru had convinced those Sound four members wrongly about becoming Orochimaru's slave. Or was it just that his will was stronger than the cursed seal? He wasn't sure. But he wasn't about to risk it when he still had a long time to go.
Still, it was a while later that Sasuke had actually been able to enter the room that he had seen the violet eyes in the tube again, the….whatever it was that had been watching him. He wasn't sure if whoever it was would even be alive in there any more, but at the very least he might find some useful information regarding Orochimaru's….'work' in the Many bases and underground labyrinths that made up the so called 'Hidden Sound Village'. He had had more information on some of the other bases that they had bounced to and from, since when he had first been in this base his training had been so exhausting that he couldn't summon the energy to look around further than his room and the training hall. And the other information he had given in his reports.
So it was during one of the times when Orochimaru and Kabuto were busy that Sasuke had taken his chance to stake out the room with the tubes, making sure to avoid the halls with the prisoners in, just in case one of then blabbed that they had seen him without Sasuke. He had already heard that in one of the northern bases the warden there had even planted spies in with the prisoners to give information to her if they tried to plan escapes and such. He wouldn't put it past Orochimaru to have it in his other bases also. He made sure to stick to the shadows, using them so that any passing Oto ninja wouldn't see him before slipping into the room once more.
The room hadn't really changed that much. A few different mutated forms here ad there, some of the tumes from before now empty, but otherwise there wasn't much different. Lightly stepping into the room, he scanned it and crossed to one of the tables where there were some observations written down, some in Kabuto's hand, some in Orochimaru's and he flipped through it for a moment, scanning some of the words with his Sharingan so he would remember them to copy into his report, looking around for any other hints of what Orochimaru may have 'discovered' before he finall.y reached the blue tube from before. Even this time as he looked around, he was sure he had felt someone watching him from there.
"Are you done watching me?" he asked finally.
A faint chuckle came from the tube. "Oh? You caught me? You're as good as I've heard. Mind you, it's always 'Sasuke-kun' this and Sasuke-kun' that. Orochimaru let you off your leash, huh?"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed at the water for that comment. If anything the Water seemed to shudder slightly.
"Yeesh, I was only saying…."
"Who and….what are you?" Sasuke asked finally, deciding to ignore the 'leash' comment.
"Oh, Orochimaru doesn't mention anyone else to you then? I feel insulted. I'm Suigetsu."
"From Kiri?" Sasuke asked with a faint frown. He'd heard of some brothers before from some clan in Kiri, apparently brothers in line to be some of the Seven swordsmen or something of the sort.
"Oh, so you have heard of me?" Suigetsu hummed.
"Turning into water wasn't part of it though." Sasuke added.
"Courtesy of our favourite Otokage," Suigetsu said, though the tone of his voice made it obvious what he actually felt about it all.
"Experements."
"Yup."
"Can you change back?" he asked finally.
"Probebly, if I was out of this tube. Why?" Suigetsu sounded both suspicious and curious. "I thought you're Orochimaru's pet."
"For now," Sasuke said, turning away as Suigetsu gave a low whistle.
"Heh, you'd probably get the chance to. But you won't be the only one after the Snake's head."
"Suigetsu, I'll free you then," Sasuke said, leaving the room once more. His time limit was probably close to expiring and Orochimaru would be back soon. Still, he was sure that it would be useful in the end. But for now, he still had a job to do. But once it was done, he could spare a few minutes to free Suigetsu. Who knew, it might be useful eventually.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
There was one thing that he began to work with on his own during some of the time that Orochimaru was doing his experiments. During the fight at the Valley of the End maybe two years ago (as much as Sasuke could gather, it was easy to lose track of time in the darkened expanses of tunnels and bases that made up the so called 'Hidden Sound Village'), Sasuke had managed to draw back the Chidori by pure will up his arm a little in order to decrease the power in the blow so it wouldn't kill Naruto. And it made him think. Although Chidori was an (admittedly noisy) assassination technique, Sasuke was sure that the lightning could be manipulated in other ways, other ways that wouldn't involve him needing to have to run in a straight line like a good target. And if he could do that, it would definitely give him an advantage in the future.
Thus, while Orochimaru and Kabuto were busy, Sasuke decided that then would be a good time to look into developing that. After all, having several jutsu over Orochimaru that he didn't know about would surely be helpful in the ending phases of his mission, because after everything he had seen of Orochimaru, how he toyed with so many people's lives like some kind of false god, he wouldn't be able to leave him to continue. It had taken him a while to get to where he was today, but he had practiced on manipulating his lightning element diligently when he wasn't being watched and trained by Orochimaru personally.
The room he was using was tall, built into the rock with stone pillars that reached so high the ceiling was shrouded by shadows, targets around the room were pined to walls, most already had holes in them from Kunai he had already used. In the middle of this room, Sasuke stood, rolling his neck to loosen himself up. And got ready to use the Chidori, the Chidori that had once been Kakashi's, but was now moulded into something that was completely Sasuke's.
A power that even Orochimaru would never be able to use.
Sasuke closed his eyes and concentrated. And the now familiar feel of electric chakra flooded through him, the room beginning to light up with flickering blue light, the sound of the chidori filling the dark void of the room, before his eyes snapped open and he released the built up energy.
"Chidori Nagashi!"
The room became even brighter as the lightning chakra was released, lightning shot in all directions, obliterating the targets close by, leaving only ashes to float to the ground as he looked at his hands, opening and closing them seeing no injuries from the technique.
He almost smiled at this.
Just how far could he go to manipulate the lightning chakra? He would need all the power he could get, especially if he was going to leave with his soul in tact and his body still his own.
He had far too much to lose, to give it up to him.
To Be Continued….
Translations:
(If there are any Japanese words used that aren't in this, it will have been translated on prior chapters)
Gi – in this case the white top that Sasuke wears on his first outfit of Shippuden.
Chokuto – a type of katana (Japanese long sword) where the blade is straight, rather than curved.
Kekkei Genkai – bloodline limit
Otokage – Sound Shadow (Not a real Kage, but the name that is unofficially given to Oto's leader.
Kata – the word for the practice forms of Taijutsu to help you learn techneques.
Chidori Nagashi – 1000 bird current
Chosha's Notes
Yeah, everyone but one person or so voted for me to do a chapter in Oto. The problem was that no one gave me any ideas for the chapter. I was really stuck on this and to be honest, it didn't come out as well as I would have liked. But with no help, this is how it came out. I hope no one s disappointed. This chapter was more of a filler anyway, showing clips of Sasuke's time in oto. Its is in parts of the three years, and in order, but not necessarily right one after the other. So…..yeah. The rest will have to be up to you.
Now, Sasuke's reactions. I know it sounds a bit out of character. But if you think that at this point in time, Sasuke believes Itachi killed his family more or less just because he felt like it (ie to 'test his capacity') which was basically playing with lives. Orochimaru is playing with lives and in the times that he was involved in discovering the experiments, he's still young and with a slightly wider emotional range (after the time skip he becomes more controlled with his emotions, but it doesn't necessarily mean he feels nothing after all). Either way, it reminds him of that, and obviously it rubs him up the wrong way, so to speak. Anyway, so yeah, that's my reasoning.
Next chapter we step into Shippuden territory, and we get to see his reactions to the grown up people in Shippuden. Yay! Because I actually have ideas for that.
Next time on Guilt of Innocence:
Tsunade: Uchiha, you're going to need to be on your toes, you can use this to come home, but if you still have more to investigate….just remember your time's almost up.
Sasuke: I know.
Tsunade: Know that your old team will be there. Think you can handle it?
Naruto: Next episode: Chapter Eight: Konoha Retaliates – Sasuke vs Team Yamato
Sasuke: I wonder just how much they've grown…
Until Next Time,
Ja ne!
Chosha Kurenai xXx
