Chapter Eight:
Jiraiya quickened his step, knowing the amount of blood his friend had already lost was too risky. He feared what Danzo might say, what if as Orochimaru said, their argument was too weak. If Danzo did not believe them and the truth came out then the consequence would be far worse. Perhaps he should not lie, he thought. He could tell the truth and try pacify Danzo rather than risk a lie, then he too would not be trusted. Orochimaru would be taken away from his care. He would be helpless to any other threats his friend was facing. Friend seemed like a strained term, he no longer felt the same way a friend should towards another. He felt an urge to run, to run away with the snake before he was caged again. To set the other he held a little bit to close free, away from the harm that awaited him. Jiraiya did not turn away though, he knew better than to choose a rogue over the law. He could not risk giving someone as powerful and dangerous as Orochimaru the freedom he wanted... Or at this point needed.
The gates of the village came into view and on the out skirts leaning on the Great Wall dividing the village from outside world was a figure leaning. The figure was covered in the standard brown cloak of Konoha. When the figure looked up Jiraiya was hesitant to meet eyes with the man. He prayed it was not Danzo awaiting them. The man came over, Jiraiya could already sense the difference in the man, it was not Danzo, he was to tall . The man approached the cautiously it seemed, confident but cautious. Jiraiya halted when the man got to close for comfort.
"Who are you?" Jiraiya asked. The man ignored the question.
"Is taking him back a good idea?" The figure asked.
"It's not about good ideas. And besides taking him back is a better idea than letting him go." Jiraiya said.
"So for your sake in other words?" The figure asked.
"For our sake. Who are you?" Jiraiya asked, the voice replying was soft but in the rage of the Storm it was hard to hear it. It sounded some what familiar. Jiraiya couldn't be sure though, the man was speaking softly.
"Are you sure this will in anyway help him?" The voice said.
"Who are you?" Jiraiya asked angrily.
"It does not matter. What is your choice?" The man asked.
"If I said I would run with him, would you be satisfied?" Jiraiya asked.
"If you said you would stay with him I would feel the same way. It would simply be a great loss is all." The man said, his tone was a bit to arrogant. Far to arrogant for Jiraiya to care for, Orochimaru was loosing blood radically, he had already lost enough blood to loose consciousness.
"Move he needs help." Jiraiya said.
"I'd be curious to know how Danzo will 'help' him..." The man said.
"I can handle it. Thank you for your concern." Jiraiya said continuing walking as he passed the man he noticed a red eye peering at him through under the hood.
"An Uchiha..." Jiraiya said, "You are an Uchiha."
"If you decide that you value your friend over yourself, I will be waiting." The Uchiha spoke confidently, as if he knew that Jiraiya would seek him out one day.
"I don't even know your name." Jiraiya said irritably.
"Come to your senses Jiraiya. Before regret is your only option." The man or Uchiha said, he then disappeared almost merging with the Storm. Jiraiya shook his head he would dwell on the strange figure later, as for now he knew his friends life depended on him.
Jiraiya arrived in the room quickly and placed Orochimaru on the bed he escaped from. He watched as blood appeared in a crimson pool around the make shift bandage. Hikuryu was standing by idly not entirely sure on what he should do. Giara arrived moments later and glanced down at the pale Sannin whose breath was getting harsher by the second. Giara surprisingly stepped in and pulled aside the bloody piece of fabric that no longer served as a bandage. He slipped a proper bandage out of his kunia pouch and placed it beside the bed. He then placed his hands by the wound and started healing it. The wound healed a lot more than Jiraiya would have expected him capable. It still was not proper as none of them were actual medics but it was impressive for the resources they had. Giara wasted no time slipping out all that was required to stitch the wound up. Jiraiya wondered if he had ever had any medical training. His work was impressive, his only flaw if he had one was his lack of care. He was not a medic after all but a warrior. His hands did not work lightly but moved quickly patching up the wound roughly. It would mean Orochimaru would live and that was good enough.
Giara stitched up the wound, the ninja flinched and began to stir, waking up from his unaware state. He was startled at the change of environment and felt the sudden pain of the needle work. Jiraiya for saw it however and was beside him, as the snake Sannin tried to move Jiraiya pushed him back down.
"Don't." He said quickly, Giara finished up rather swiftly luckily. When the wound was as best patched up as it could be Giara stood up.
"Is that the only critical injury?" He asked, Orochimaru nodded.
"Danzo and the others are still asleep." Hikuryu said, "there is no reason for him to know."
"We might have to tell him..." Jiraiya said, Orochimaru froze, he should have known Jiraiya would be lying. What a fool he was for trusting him again.
"It will end badly." Hikuryu warned.
"Not as badly as it will end if we are caught lying though." Jiraiya said.
"Danzo must know." Giara said, "I will inform him."
"Then we should just say he tried to escape. Not that he succeeded. No penalties for that." Hikuryu said.
"It is our code. We will not lie to him." Giara replied, Orochimaru shuddered, he should have crossed the river, he should have just run. If he had fallen and drown it would have been fine but this no longer seemed better than death.
"I'll tell him." Jiraiya argued.
"No, it is my job. I am the one reporting back on anything that happens." Giara said. Orochimaru glanced around in a desperate attempt to find a way out. He was sitting on the bed and tried to move to the side to slip off, the pain of the stitches stunted him. He grunted in pain before pushing past it and standing, he held himself together and finally snapped back into his old way of thinking.
Don't you dare show weakness.
He hissed it to himself, he would have shaken with the pain but he refused his body that ability. He stood and faced them, they were surprised at his quick movement. They hadn't expected him to be able to stand yet, not so suddenly. He was still frozen to the bone and his shirt was tattered and shredded. He was glad he had forgotten the brown cloak Hikuryu gave him at home for he now had an extra cloak for his second escape. He was handed another tight black sleeveless shirt from Hikuryu. He accepted it with a thanks and slipped into it swiftly. Still making no indication if the tugging pain of his wound. The rest of his slim figure was cut up, small tears and slits every now and then. His upper body looked as if it had been attacked by some sort of an animal.
"I will go now." Giara said eyeing the snake cautiously, he clearly did not like the new found confidence that was returning. Every passing day the snake seemed more and more hardened. After the procedure he was a wreck, the day after he was slightly more confident, a day after that and he was willing to challenge authority, then the next day he had enough nerve to run. He was not easily run down, or at least not easily kept down. Being physically small and vulnerable made grounding the snake rather easy, however keeping him at the bottom proved impossible. He would simply get up, and every time he did he had more confidence to show for it.
"I will accompany you." Jiraiya said.
"No need. You stay here, Orochimaru follow me." Giara said.
"I think I have the right to come." Jiraiya snapped back.
"I don't think you are required for this." Orochimaru said, Jiraiya was take aback, he knew the snake would not be happy with him after he said he would tell Danzo. But couldn't he see how that was the better choice. Of course he couldn't. All he could see was that Jiraiya had broken his word, he hadn't even tried to uphold it.
A kiss. You fool. What does that mean.
Orochimaru brushed hair out his face, his injury screamed at him but he brushed it aside and proceeded onwards with the ANBU leader. He left Jiraiya behind him who was both angry and some what guilty. He didn't try stop the snake, he would talk to him in private.
Giara and Orochimaru made their way to Danzo, Orochimaru made no signs or indications of being hurt. His pace was steady his movement flawless. He strode down the halls almost gliding, his long black hair following him as he did. Almost perfect in his movement Giara acknowledged. His porcelain white skin, his long dead straight ebony hair, his almost feminine charm and slim build. He was a very beautiful sight, deceptively pretty. It was only when you met eye contact that you noticed the hint of evil. Even then his golden snake like eyes were captivating to say the least. Giara knocked on Danzo's door and awaited for the reply. After a few seconds Danzo opened the door, a long black cloak covering his body, his hand and eye still bandaged up.
Traitor.
"Something the matter?" Danzo asked looking at them skeptically.
"I am here to inform you of what has happened as was my orders," Giara said, "Orochimaru made an escape and got to the high rise river. Jiraiya caught him again. Hikuryu requested for us to lie about all of this."
Danzo looked majorly surprised, he was not expecting for the Sannin to be so calm about it either. Orochimaru leant in the door frame lazily brushing strands of hair, letting snow fall out if it. He combed his hair with slender fingers, running it up and down to clear it off any left over residue. He was completely distracted by his long black strands and not at all paying attention to Danzo.
"Hikuryu has been sentenced then. As for you." Danzo said looking at Orochimaru who for the first time looked up away from his hair and locked eyes with Danzo, "you will be restrained at all times."
"By that you mean?" Orochimaru asked, Danzo motioned for them to wait there and went back into his room. When he returned he had the same chains that were on the Sannin in his jail cell. They were long and when put on still allowed free access of movement. He handed them over to Giara.
"He must have those at all times, if someone is not watching him for some reason or if you are asleep he is to be chained to something. I will send someone to sentence Hikuryu." Danzo said.
"I can sentence him if you wish." Giara said.
"Sentence?" Orochimaru asked, although more to himself.
"Yes do that. Make it quick and clean." Danzo said, "and do not think your escape has gone unpunished Orochimaru. I will return to you later today with the measures we will take."
Orochimaru shrugged and brushed hair out his face, his demeanor had changed drastically. He was far too much like his old self, far to reassured of his fate. He seemed to in control of himself. Danzo did not approve and he was a man who would take action in changing things that were not to his taste.
"Actually. Perhaps he should stay here for the rest of the night." Danzo said, "I will need to assign new guards any way. You are dismissed Giara, when you are finished the sentence tell Jiraiya he has lost his position and can come along for the mission or turn back and go home, but he is no longer in any way related to Orochimaru's guard force. When you return I will have two new guards assigned to Orochimaru and you will once again serve as the report back." Danzo said.
"As you wish Danzo." Giara said turning to place the chains on Orochimaru, the snake allowed it with out fighting and entered Danzo's room when told to. Giara disappeared.
When he was gone Danzo closed the door and moved inside as well.
"Sentence? What is his sentence Danzo?" Orochimaru asked as he let his eyes roam the room absorbing all the detail. His curios golden eyes darted from place to place never settling on an object for more than a few seconds.
"He will be killed for treachery." Danzo said as he passed Orochimaru. Orochimaru's eyes instantly fled from their previous spot and came to meet Danzo's.
"He was not a traitor Danzo." Orochimaru said, he felt a sudden pain in his side, he had moved to swiftly for his injuries liking.
"He wanted to lie about your escape." Danzo said, "now while we are on that topic, how exactly did you escape?" Danzo asked.
"Me? I jumped out the bedroom window. Ran out through the back and followed out the forest path till I hit the river." Orochimaru said, "lying is not something we kill our allies for surely."
"It is here in the ANBU. And Jiraiya caught you at the river before you crossed?" Danzo asked.
"No Jiraiya caught me in the middle of the river. I attempted to cross it but the ice broke and so on. Nearly died but then Jiraiya stepped in, I have no chakara remember. Getting across the river was not possible. The ANBU should use their men more sparingly." Orochimaru continued.
"We use our men well and we will sentence those who no longer serve their purpose. We only have flawless shinobi. You do not act like a man who stared death in the face." Danzo said.
"I'm telling the truth if that is what you mean. I have no reason to lie and besides I have the scars to prove my story. Anyway, kill your men if you want. I never much liked him, to passive, no motive to help or destroy simply just existing." Orochimaru said.
"You fell in the river but you do not look at all injured." Danzo said, "it is a storm out there."
"I'm very aware of the weather, it tried to kill me after all. I got injured." Orochimaru said lifting his top up slightly to reveal the bandaged up wound, "fell into the water, was healed and such when I returned."
"You are my most annoying prisoner yet." Danzo said simply.
"I've done nothing to validate that. I escaped once and it was a very pathetic attempt. Im sure there have been other escapes." Orochimaru said once agin looking around the room curiously.
"But none of them had anything I needed them to keep." Danzo said.
"Your secrets? Your secrets are safe for so long as I am Danzo. I have no reason to rat you out, no reason yet that is. It is in your own interest to not give me one." Orochimaru said with a sly smile.
"I'm afraid I will be giving you a good reason shortly. Like I said, escape does not go unpunished." Danzo said.
"Neither does betrayal. I suggest you watch your step. Jiraiya might be very intrigued to know about you. Sensei too." Orochimaru said, "be grateful, I could tell you to release me or I will spill all your lies to the world, could black mail you in to that rather easily." Orochimaru said.
"Then why don't you?" Danzo asked skeptically, once more fearing the snakes motives.
"I have my reasons. Anyway, let us not dwell on this, may I ask what my job will be at the North region? Must be something important if it requires my life, killing a rogue such as myself is generally top priority. What makes me the exception? To what do I owe my life?" Orochimaru asked leaning on the counter, his slender arms supporting him, his thin form lightly against the wood work. He watched Danzo intently.
He was far to cocky and confident, he felt way to safe. He found security on Danzo's secrets, he found his safety net in Danzo's darkest life. He needed to be broken soon or he would surely tear the operation a part.
"That does not concern you. We shall proceed with punishment." Danzo said quickly. Orochiamru gave him an annoyed look.
"It concerns me a lot actually, what right do you think you have condemning me Danzo? Those experiments were under you they were just merely placed under my name. The crimes that are held against me are more your crimes than mine yet you stand before me treating me like a caged pet." Orochimaru shook his head in annoyance, "how dare you turn your back on me so easily. We were an alliance. Kill Hikuryu for his treachery while you stand here as the embodiment of treachery itself. I understand the fake act in front of anyone in Konoha, by all means if one of them walks past treat me like a criminal, but do not fool yourself behind closed doors. We are who we truly are when we are alone, do not stop reminding yourself that this is your fault. The hate those people show me should be directed more so at you."
"I know who I am what I have done. You chose to follow me, you chose to follow this life." Danzo said sensing the resentment. Orochimaru looked as if he wanted to attack the other.
"I was a child, with no guidance. Looking back I can safely say I was a fool. Back then I did not see it as that, I saw the people as monsters not deserving life, I saw myself as right that I would discover something life saving. To help the village. I was wrong but you let me believe such foolish things. All so that you would have an ally worth keeping." Orochimaru said regretting his past greatly, "all so that you could get what you wanted."
"You agreed to it in order to get what you wanted. We are not that far a part, I simply am in the position of advantage." Danzo said, Orochimaru muttered something to himself, Danzo failed to catch it, failed to care. He walked up to the snake, Orochimaru held his ground effortlessly. He no longer felt the urge to run or bolt, to cower from touch to back away from another being. He missed his jutsu terribly he thought, letting his mind wander, his eyes dropped to the floor Danzo didn't know if the snake was wrapped up in thought or avoiding eye contact. Danzo didn't know if the snake still had any fear for touch, in respect however Danzo stood a small distance away and motioned for the snakes attention.
"Pass me your chains." He said, thinking the snake might not like him getting close enough to take them himself. Orochimaru broke out of his trance and met Danzo's eyes, no hint of fear could be traced in them. He lifted his hands and placed the middle of the chain in Danzo's hand. Danzo then took handcuffs and clipped them onto the long chains, he handcuffed the other cuff to a kitchen pillar against the wall. Orochimaru looked curiously.
"Where are you going?" Orochimaru asked.
"I will be back." Danzo replied.
"Thanks." Orochimaru replied sarcastically, his question never answered. Danzo slipped out the room, and locked the doors and windows behind him, the windows were sealed with some sort of jutsu as well. He could hear the door on the other end also being sealed. He sighed, he was not going to get out of here, it would be hard getting out of the sealed room with jutsu let alone with out. Orochimaru started trying different hand seals, in hopes of getting some response from his chakara. Every now and then he tried accessing his chakara, if for nothing else but to remind himself it existed. He tried hopelessly for several minutes, his chakara seeming desolate. He tried again however and continued his efforts. A small flare burst from his hand and he smiled in contentment, small but there. It was healing, they had done a bad job he chuckled. His hydra form still felt as if it was banging at the bars of the seals. Trying desperately to be freed. When he did return his chakara he wondered if he would be able to stop the transformation before it happened. Either way if he did transform he would be able to defend himself, the hydra form was one of his most powerful attacks. He tried again this time receiving another burst of power, stronger than before, the next time he tried it flared up in a black and purple rage, the chain around his left hand cracked. It did not break but it now had a long crack around the loop holding his wrist. He cursed, Danzo might notice that, the chain might even break eventually. The breaking could come to his advantage, unless Danzo saw it first. The seal by the door was released and Orochimaru jumped and stopped his chakara which gladly fell away. Danzo stepped in, three ANBU behind him. Orochimaru followed their movement with his eyes, did Danzo not know the consequence of making an enemy out of the snake.
"As you said Orochimaru. You know too much. Silence him." Danzo ordered, Orochimaru gave him an angered look.
"So you do not need me then?" Orochimaru asked.
"Oh you will not die Sannin." Danzo said, "do what you must."
"Yes Danzo." They said as they moved closer to the snake, Orochimaru moved further back but the wall blocked him. He hissed as they approached him, the one slipped out a small blade. The other started with hand signs the last placed his hand on the one end of the chain and pushed it down so the snake was lurched forwards closer to the group.
"Bastard." Orochimaru hissed glaring at Danzo, Danzo went down to the end of the room, picked up a scroll and started writing on it. As if his old ally wasn't being harmed in the background. To Orochimaru's relief the blade was slipped through a hole in the chain, he could not move any more as he was stuck to the counter, the small hollow of his back being pushed into the end if the counter top. He grunted in pain as his back was slammed into it painfully. Electricity surged around the one ANBU's hand, he placed it on the snakes chest. Orochimaru writhed as it surged through his body in an uncontrolled rage. He muffled his pained cries to maintain his pride. He instinctively pulled against his restraints, trying to get away from the cruel source of pain. His muffled cries once again some what animistic, like a dog who struggled for its final breath. He tried in vein to escape, he writhed against the pressure and pain. Danzo glanced up once or twice to see everything was going accordingly but besides that he was dedicated to his paper. Orochimaru suddenly had a moment of weakness, he gave up on trying to control anything. He didn't try take control of himself or any one around him. Chakara burst from his hands and arms, he pulled and the chain broke and shattered. Danzo looked up quickly and got to his feet. Then the chakara died in a flash and Orochimaru was stranded in the midst of the ninja who still had their chakara. Who were both shocked and angry, both ready to attack and ready to defend. Orochimaru backed up wondering what his next move would be. He had not called upon his chakara, he had not asked it to come forth. This was a major flaw, the gig was up. Danzo now knew for a fact that the snake still had some chakara. Orochimaru allowed his eyes to dart back and forth checking what every man in the room was doing. They all had their hands prepared to make seals to take the snake down if need be.
Isn't this just working out then?
"Something you'd like to tell us?" Danzo asked. Orochimaru was silent,there were many things running through his head but none of them seemed to come forth out his mouth. None of the things he wanted to say managed to slip from his lips. He left the question suspended and awaited the next move. He did not know what he was supposed to do at this point, he would skip his turn. Danzo seemed rather eager to make his next move.
"Nothing? This is a first." Danzo said. Orochimaru wished he knew what his next move should be. He wished he had some sort of idea on which words to mutter to avoid the worst case scenario.
"Very well then." Danzo said, as if on command the three men took up every side of Danzo in a shield like manner. Making their motive of protecting their leader clear. Orochimaru mentally tried to see if he could possibly get more chakara. He couldn't. It was gone, it erupted like a flame and then died. He needed to lie, or Danzo would make the procedure take place again. That would destroy his chances of regaining his jutsu.
"Be careful, ground him." Danzo ordered. The three men rushed the snake who had no jutsu to try dodge with. He did what came naturally and shielded his face with his arms. He was expecting impact but no impact came. He then heard a muffled scream and when he glanced the three men where rushing a new opponent. Jiraiya lifted up his hand in a claw like manner blue forming in his palm, it spiraled violently until the blue hue was visibly dangerous. He slammed the attack into one of the men.
"Resengan!" He said as it hit its target, the man was sent crashing to the floor. Jiraiya made quick work of the other ones and rushed Danzo as soon as he could.
"Two rogues?" Danzo asked in surprise, an eyebrow raised before low chuckle escaped him.
"This is not something you should be laughing about." Jiraiya growled as he held a kunia to the elders throat. Danzo met his eyes in amusement.
"Your Sensei will be so happy when I give him the news." Danzo said before evaporating into smoke. Jiraiya spun around it saw that there was no sign of Danzo. He had escaped during the confusion, in other words back up was waiting outside. Jiraiya grabbed Orochimaru's wrist and ran down the hall.
"Jiraiya!" Orochimaru said trying to bring the stronger male dragging him to halt. Jiraiya stopped out of courtesy.
"What!?" He asked quickly.
"Danzo will be waiting with his men down there." Orochimaru said, "we should go that way."
Jiraiya followed his movement towards the stairs, "but Oro that that leads up... Getting higher won't do us any good."
"Yes it will, they won't be up there waiting for us. We can jump down the other side of the building, make an escape through the front edit which is just around those buildings. They won't see us if we play our cards right." Orochimaru said.
"Jump? Do you trust me?" Jiraiya asked he hardly allowed Orochimaru to answer as he ran towards the stairs leading up dragging the smaller male behind him.
"No but I have little choice." Orochimaru replied as he made sure to keep up so he wasn't being dragged to much. They raced up the stairs and kept getting higher and higher, they eventually reached the top floor and got onto the roof. They could hear the sound of the ANBU men in the building and all around the outside of it. As Orochimaru had said, no one was near the roof.
"We need to get there." Orochimaru said pointing to a few trees further down. They spread into a clump of more trees that as the snake had said lead to an exit. If they made it to the trees they were home safe.
"Plans on getting down..." Jiraiya asked.
"Your a ninja. Jump it fool." Orochimaru said, "hope your not scared of bloody heights."
"No no not that. Haha, just hope my aim is good enough and all." Jiraiya said, realizing for the first time that both theirs lives rested completely in him.
"We learnt this when we were gennin. I'm sure you will manage Jiraiya." Orochimaru said.
"You will die too don't get cocky." Jiraiya replied. Orochimaru took a small pebble off the roof and threw it over the opposite side of the building. The sound of ninja all around shifted their weight to observe the noise. Making sure the two Sannin weren't there. In the confusion Jiraiya took a chance and picked Orochimaru up and leapt towards the trees. He managed to land exactly where he planned to. He was smug and displayed his emotions clearly on his face. Orochimaru shoved Jiraiya in the chest and made him lower him. He then elegantly slipped to his feet and started running towards the exit.
"Come on hurry." Orochimaru said, Jiraiya caught up easily and ended up taking the lead again, his chakara propelling him. They got out the village unnoticed, hopping the fence and making it to the forest of snow. Their hearts pounded against their heavy breathing chests. Jiraiya had gotten hold of Orochimaru's wrist again and was pulling him forwards. Orochimaru didn't mind the help his stamina and durability lowered with out chakara. They kept running until Orochimaru slammed on breaks as they reached the river. It's waters still raging in an uncontrolled fury. Death still waiting on the other side. Jiraiya came up next to him and placed his hand on his back guiding him forwards.
"Come on Ill help you." Jiraiya said, "this time you won't almost drown." Jiraiya mocked, blue flashed around his feet and he stepped onto the water. Orochimaru looked at him, he didn't want to be carried again. He was done with being a damsel in distress. His arrogance and pride took over.
"I've got it thanks." He said as he went to the thickest ice he could see.
"That's what you said last time..." Jiraiya said looking over worriedly. He heard the voices of men approaching, "their coming."
"Then we should go." Orochimaru said as he hopped onto the first block of ice, water ran across and over it. He stopped his mind from reliving his last encounter. It wasn't that wide a river. He hopped from ice to ice, he made it to the end with great caution, the last block in front of him disappointingly thin, Jiraiya walked on top of the water beside the snake in case something did happen. Orochimaru ignored him however and kept putting one foot in front of the other, leaping form place to place. The last step the ice was to thin and gave in, Jiraiya was there as soon as the ice made to loud a crack and grabbed the snake before he hit the water, placing him in solid land again.
Ah good, back to being the damsel in distress then.
"Thank you." Orochimaru muttered although he wished he had been left.
"Must you fight so hard for your dependence?" Jiraiya sighed his nerves shot for the others safety. The two Sannin carried on deeper into the forest.
"What if I never get my chakara back? I need to learn to live with out it... Just in case." Orochimaru muttered. They carried on through the thick snow, Jiraiya knew it would be easier to leap through the trees, after all the snow slowed them down drastically. He couldn't leave Orochimaru on the ground alone. Besides, leaving him behind would be pointless. He had run for his sake. On the other hand the ANBU following him would not face the same problem, they could jump in the trees and be quicker. Luckily the ANBU were not aware of their position, so they could try sneak through unnoticed.
"No way I could pick you up and we can jump through the trees is there?" Jiraiya asked, Orochimaru glanced over to him.
"Feel free to jump up there by yourself." He replied, he had some how managed to gain the lead again.
"Won't do me much good leaving you behind now will it." Jiraiya said as he ran to be at the others side.
"Neither will jumping us through the trees. You carrying me will slow you down. It's about the same as the snow." Orochimaru said, his breath still a bit labored.
"You're actually really light." Jiraiya said, Orochimaru looked over at him quizzically.
"I'm still human Jiraiya. I weigh enough to be a burden." Orochimaru said, "this way." Orochimaru took Jiraiya down a narrow path. The path was heavily thin, thick trees clumped far to close together. Orochimaru slipped through them with no effort, his slim form hardly touching the trees, Jiraiya found a lot more difficulty with his broad and muscular body. He used the trees to push himself through, Orochimaru could be heard laughing, in his usual slightly feminine and mocking way.
"Having trouble back there?" He asked throwing his head back slightly to see the white haired man struggle.
"You just keep walking." Jiraiya replied, in an effort to spare his last scrap of dignity he quickened his pace. They made their way thorough the trees and ended up on a road. The road had been cleared off snow recently but the snow was still falling heavily on it. The road could not be seen but the snow was much thinner than in the forest. They carried on forwards and ran down the road until they were a safe distance away. The ANBU men had been lost in the forest. It was unlikely the men would be able to track them now. They were both panting from the adrenalin and rush. The cold air they took in stung their lungs and throat. Orochimaru started laughing, Jiraiya failed at seeing what was funny and stared at him.
"You're a rogue." Orochimaru said finally, Jiraiya looked at him coldly. He didn't find that amusing.
"No I'm not." Jiraiya replied.
"You went against the law Jiraiya." Orochimaru said looking at him as if he were being stubborn.
"I'm still not a rogue. I'm going back to Konoha." Jiraiya said.
"They will not show you mercy Jiraiya... Don't go back." Orochimaru said, his voice was genuinely concerned. Something on any other day Jiraiya would have admired and been happy with. However the title of rogue hung above his head and made the white haired man blind to it.
"I'm not running Orochimaru. I'm going back." Jiraiya said.
"Going back is stupidity. They will sentence you to something. No, you went against Danzo. The punishment will be even worse." Orochimaru said brushing hair out of his face.
"I'm going back." Jiraiya said, he paused, "we're going back."
"Speak for yourself. It's suicide." Orochimaru said, "God you are inconceivable."
"I'm not the reason this happened. You shouldn't have run away." Jiraiya said. Orochimaru stopped dead and glared up at him. His golden eyes holding too many emotions for Jiraiya to identify. Hurt? Anger? Fear?
"I ran Jiraiya because I refuse to be subjected to this. I'm not some caged pet you can lock up or beat into submission. I know what they would have done to me. I know what life lay ahead. I will not simply fall at their feet beg for redemption and live a pathetic life of suppression." Orochimaru said, "go back if you must. I am not."
"It's not your choice." Jiraiya said, "Danzo was out of line. Either way as of now we are will listen to Sensei. He won't let anything happen." Jiraiya said.
"How many times I haven't heard those words Jiraiya, how many times those words have fallen short." Orochimaru said, his voice was small, soft and unsure. He averted his eyes, stared at the floor his hair falling across his face. Jiraiya sighed and walked up to him tried to put his hand on his shoulder.
"Orochimaru-" Jiraiya's hand was smacked away, cold eyes glared at him.
"Don't touch me, don't act like you are doing this for me. Don't act like you are doing what is right. Admit you are wrong. God knows no one in your village does." Orochimaru snapped.
"My village? Glad you detached so quickly." Jiraiya said taking a step back.
"Detached? Oh I was never in that village. I lived there. That was all, I was not a part of that village. I never will be." Orochimaru said, "I'm not going back unless you force me. Are you going to force me Jiraiya?"
"If it comes to that." Jiraiya said, Orochimaru looked over defiantly. He took a step back.
"So in an attempt to set me free you place me in another cage?" Orochimaru scoffed, "that's logical. Can't tell you just how grateful I am really. Fine. If I am to go back I'll go back to Danzo."
"Wh-what!? Why Danzo? And I lack logic you say." Jiraiya said, completely confused as to why his friend would go back to the devil himself.
"I'd much rather deal with him than Hiruzen." Orochimaru said, "since I only have two options I'll go with Danzo. Rather the devil you know than the devil you don't."
"I didn't give you that option. Come on, we are going." Jiraiya said turning off, knowing running was pointless and standing would only lead to being dragged Orochimaru followed. He couldn't say he was at all happy, he couldn't have made his annoyance more clear either. He lagged behind purposefully and refused to reply to any of Jiraiya's attempts at conversation starters. Jiraiya sighed, it was along journey, the two Sannin had run through the forest and now had a much longer journey than the cart ride was. It would take the two at least three times as long, luckily there were, if Jiraiya's memory served him well, enough village's to stop at when need be. Also, Orochimaru had been patched up rather nicely thanks to Giara. In any regard Jiraiya couldn't wait to see just how painful a journey Orochimaru would make it for him. He knew his friend well. He knew just how far he went. Jiraiya laughed internally, and wished himself luck.
