Chapter Nine:
Although the journey started off in complete and utter silence as Orochimaru refused to speak to Jiraiya, it had now turned into a non stop complaining session. The same few words kept occurring and Orochimaru seemed to use them like a phrase. Never had Jiraiya heard the same few words be issued so many times in such a short amount of space in all his life.
"It's cold." Orochimaru said, Jiraiya rolled his eyes, Orochimaru must have said that at least a hundred times in the past five minutes. This time it was Jiraiya's turn to not reply. It did not work for him like it did for the snake. Orochimaru was never once deterred form speaking even if he was ignored. Then again he had always been one to talk to himself.
"Seriously Jiraiya I'm dying over here. We need a plan." Orochimaru snapped at last.
God damn it how many times must I repeat myself?
Jiraiya stopped when he saw the snake slam on breaks like a stubborn animal. Orochimaru folded his arms over his chest and looked away from Jiraiya in annoyance.
"Well what exactly am I supposed to do? When we find a village we can stop." Jiraiya said.
"That could be miles away." Orochimaru complained.
"I'm sure we can make it." Jiraiya said rolling his eyes again.
"You might be able to. I don't have chakara, I've been running for God knows how long, I'm still suffering the consequence of crossing that bloody river and I've lost enough blood to recreate a whole new human being." Orochimaru said, he didn't like to admit weakness but when he did he left pretty much nothing out. He made his situation known, and he made his feelings on the matter equally known.
"Okay…" Jiraiya said, Orochimaru eventually went off the road they had been walking on and sunk to the floor next to a tree. His head was resting on his arms which were folded over his legs keeping them to his chest, Jiraiya finally realised how much strain it must have been on an average civilian. Chakara was a key element and under going all the procedures he was surprised Orochimaru had enough strength to make it this far. The wind howled and blew past the two ninja, throwing bits of hardened snow at them and causing shivers to run down both of their backs.
"Well, I can light a fire? We could have a quick stop behind those trees?" Jiraiya offered trying to locate something he could use to light his flame on. He eventually settled for climbing the tree Orochimaru sat beside and broke of a few of its branches. He wasn't paying much attention as the branches fell from the top of the tree and came crashing down. Orochimaru darted out the way and stumbled from his previous seat. He glared up at Jiraiya.
"Look what you're doing up there Jiraiya." Orochimaru reminded him his tone surprisingly emotionless, he sighed and shook his head and went to sit beside a different tree far from the white haired Sannin who was breaking the trees above. Jiraiya eventually leapt down and collected his scattered pieces of wood. He took them a little way off the road so that the area they would be seated at was out of sight from people travelling on the road, just in case Danzo and his team managed to track the path they took. Jiraiya placed the wood in a neat little pile and then did a few quick seals. Controlled flames erupted from Jiraiya's mouth and lit the wood. It danced around viciously as the wind blew it. Orochimaru trotted over eagerly and sat down next to the flame. He looked content as he sat beside the fire watching it dance about, the reflection of flickering flames in his golden eyes. Jiraiya stared at him for a moment until he eventually came to sit with the snake. Orochimaru gave him an offish look.
"Problem with a little extra body heat?" Jiraiya joked as his friend shuffled irritably.
"No… you better not try and kiss me again that's all I'm saying." Orochimaru said, Jiraiya gave a slightly offended look but then laughed.
"That was a pity kiss." He replied.
"Well I don't want pity. And considering you think it's acceptable to kiss people I especially do not want your pity." Orochimaru retorted.
"You sound rather bitter about it being out of pity." Jiraiya joked, he hadn't gotten a conversation right with the Sannin since the journey started, if mocking him was the only way to do so Jiraiya would attempt it.
"It was a very heartfelt pity kiss that's for sure." Orochimaru mocked back, recalling how serious Jiraiya had been.
"I'm a good actor." Jiraiya said, "I made it convincing."
"You are not a good actor." Orochimaru said tossing his head backwards to see the man who was taller than he was, "Acting is simply lying, and we all know you are no good at lying."
"Yeah… that would be your forte I'm afraid." Jiraiya replied.
"Nothing wrong with lying." Orochimaru said.
"I have to disagree." Jiraiya said.
"You shouldn't, lies have saved lives. The truth can simply be too harsh sometimes." Orochimaru said.
"Lying got you here." Jiraiya said. Orochimaru glanced at him and then smirked in his typical eerily feminine way.
"True, and nothings worse than being stuck with you in a blizzard." Orochimaru laughed, "Perhaps lying isn't worth it."
"Whatever you agreed with me in the end. I think this is the first time I've won an argument with you." Jiraiya said.
"I wouldn't count your victories unless you need at least more than one hand to keep score of them." Orochimaru said, "But yes, whatever makes you happy."
"I won." Jiraiya laughed.
"Yes, a great accomplishment for you. Perhaps your very first." Orochimaru said his eyes once again following the rapid movements of flames, Jiraiya sighed, he knew it was a long journey back and the snake was not known for being co-operative. It was a challenge he wished he had a team to help him with.
It had been several hours since the two Sannin had stopped, half of the hours taken were used to coax the stubborn snake back onto his feet. Orochimaru reluctantly followed Jiraiya when the white haired man extinguished the fire and the cold air blew once more. Jiraiya was overjoyed to see the snake up on his feet and moving, it had taken a lot of convincing to accomplish that. They continued down the road the complaints having come to a halt. Orochimaru returned to ignoring the other male in a last desperate act of defiance. He was still greatly annoyed with being stuck below Jiraiya, he hated being so inferior to anyone especially his old team mate. The next village came into view after a few hours passed. They entered it, an unfriendly guard seated at the gate. He gave them a half hearted wave and ignored them after that, security was no the right word for it. The two Sannin entered unchecked or questioned and headed for the town.
"What are we doing? Stopping or booking an inn?" Orochimaru asked.
"Hmm, its nearly night again, I think we should book a place." Jiraiya said, "I swiped this from Danzo."
Orochimaru watched as Jiraiya threw a bag possibly containing money up and down.
"Natural little thief I see." Orochimaru replied, "Well where will we stay?"
Jiraiya glanced around the village to see their options, the village was far larger than the last and had more options.
"That one looks good." Jiraiya said, Orochimaru rolled his eyes.
"It doesn't exactly look very classy…" The snake said coldly.
"Picky prisoner." Jiraiya muttered, Orochimaru glared daggers.
"I'm not expecting a castle but seriously. That place looks like a glorified street corner." Orochimaru said.
"You'll fit right in." Jiraiya said nudging his friend playfully. The snake did not share the joke and gave him an angered look.
"Are you calling me a whore?" Orochimaru hissed, Jiraiya realised his mistake.
"Oh no, I didn't mean it like that! I meant as in because you're a prisoner and all… prisoner life style type thing…" Jiraiya could tell he had made an unforgivable mistake and decided to try avoid speaking further, "I juts saw it had a pub… thought it might be fun is all…"
Orochimaru took it as a better response and gestured Jiraiya forward with his hand.
"Go on then." He said, Jiraiya went to the door and as he entered two people walked out dressed heavily in black and grey. The one was a female and the other a slightly taller male. They were both a few years older than the two Sannin and they dressed in clothes to small for them. The snake was not impressed.
Would love to know where the other half of their clothes went.
They passed the two by and the male, who had dark brown hair ruffled in a distasteful way stopped and looked at them. He smiled at Jiraiya then shot daggers at Orochimaru.
"Boy or girl?" He asked sneeringly.
"Excuse you?" Orochimaru hissed.
"What are you?" The male asked rudely, at this point the girl had stopped, her dark blonde hair tied up in a high pony behind her.
"I'm human." He replied his golden eyes scanning the other like an angered cat. Jiraiya looked at the soon to be rough situation, the two pretty boys looked truculent as the stared at each other, reminding Jiraiya much off two cats before they leapt at one another.
"He's a dude, now let's go Oro." Jiraiya said.
"A boy? Who'd fucking guess huh?" the male laughed.
"Just the language I'd expect from a man like yourself." Orochimaru muttered, he looked relatively mad at that point, claws bared.
"Leave him Orochimaru." Jiraiya said.
"Orochimaru? Sounds familiar." The woman said.
"Stupid name. Means snake doesn't it? What a freak." The male said. Orochimaru made a low hissing sound, black chakara lightly almost transparently glowed around his hand. Jiraiya spotted it and decided he needed to intervene.
"Orochimaru no, move." He said lightly pushing the snake onwards. Orochimaru had clearly dug in his heels and didn't budge. The chakara remained, growing less faint by the second.
"Wait are you his?" The male asked, "I suggest you move away, people here don't like new faces."
"What do you mean am I his? I'm not a whore." Orochimaru said the chakara now a dark black.
"Really? You'd do well here. Not many pretty guys around." The woman said, the male behind her growled and she turned to face him, "What, don't like the competition? Get used to it boy."
"Okay that's enough it was nice meeting you." Jiraiya said, the black haired Sannin beside him had just opened his mouth to reply when he was pulled inside.
"I would have liked to have defended myself! She just said I should be a bloody whore!" Orochimaru snapped.
"This village is pretty old okay, the people here are not classy. Don't take in their opinions." Jiraiya said.
"This place is just low class Jiraiya. There were better choices." Orochimaru said.
"I didn't steal that much off of Danzo okay, if we need to stop multiple times we need to budget. It's better than the cold." Jiraiya said, the snake couldn't argue with that. Not yet at least. Orochimaru sighed but once again resorted to following the taller Sannin. They went to the check in desk and a questioning looking man stepped forwards. He gave Jiraiya an unimpressed look then glanced at the pale Sannin irritably.
"We'd like a room for a night please." Jiraiya said.
"Of course you do." The man said looking at them disgustedly.
"Um… well yeah I guess…" Jiraiya said slightly confused.
"Not that I have room to judge sir, but you disgust me, and as for you," The man said looking at Orochimaru, "You could seriously do more with your life."
"Wait what?" Jiraiya said confused but pretty sure he was being insulted.
"Just saying," The man said directing his next point once again at Orochimaru, "You could be something else, pay can't be worth men like that."
"He also thinks I'm a whore. Jiraiya we are leaving." Orochimaru snapped, he spun around swiftly, the man behind the desk double took the statement.
"Oh, sorry. Not many people come here unless you know…" The man drifted off, "Um, theirs a very nice room available for you two if you'd like."
"Please." Jiraiya said, slightly miffed.
Can't believe I'm staying here.
"Here you go." The man said taking the money and handing Jiraiya a key, the man gave his co-worker beside him an awkward look before trying his hardest to wave goodbye in a friendly manner.
On their way up the stairs Jiraiya and Orochimaru passed two men, the smaller one laughing in a giddy fake tone, clearly trying to win himself a larger tip. The larger man was clearly not funny.
"This is an inn not a whore house." Jiraiya said, finally horrified upon entering.
Took you long enough to be appalled.
"Well its illegal Jiraiya. They aren't going to broad cast what this place actually is." Orochimaru said.
"It's an inn though, we stopped here once with Sensei on a mission…was much brighter then…" Jiraiya said.
"New owner, new business." Orochimaru said, "This our room?"
"Yeah this is it." Jiraiya said clicking open the door and entering. Orochimaru entered after and they looked at the largish room. It was pleasantly clean looking and fresh smelling but Orochimaru hesitated before sitting on the bed.
I don't really want to sleep there…
Jiraiya read his friends thoughts and burst out laughing.
"Pleasant thought huh?" He laughed, "Don't worry the sheets and linen have been cleaned I'm sure."
"Really. You are truly satisfied with the lowest of hygiene." Orochimaru responded, "Ugh, I'm sure there were other cheaper places… classier ones at that."
"Get over it." Jiraiya said, not sparing the snake a glance. Orochimaru looked like a bristled up cat as he eyed the room. Disgust could not have been clearer in his movement and eyes, he didn't stay in the same spot for more than a few seconds and he glided around the room clearly unsettled. Jiraiya decided to continue ignoring him until finally the snake sat down on the edge of the bed. Jiraiya was comfortable enough and had no quarrels with the room. A bed was bed in the white haired Sannins eyes and he didn't see a reason to judge the people.
"Didn't they have a room with two single beds?" Orochimaru said, the realisation hitting him, Jiraiya held back a muffled laughter.
"Didn't ask, it doesn't really bother me." Jiraiya replied, "we can go ask and see if we can find one if you want?"
"Yes I think that's best." Orochimaru said getting up and heading for the door. Jiraiya rolled his eyes, it hadn't been more than a few minutes and the snake had managed to get him to switch rooms. It was like playing musical chairs with the pale ninja, he was hardly ever satisfied. For an orphan who practically grew up on the streets he had quite the opinion on hygiene. They made their way down the stairs, Orochimaru eagerly leading and they pulled up at the desk. The man from earlier greeted them in a fake friendly way.
"Hello, something the matter?" He asked.
"You wouldn't happen to have a room with two single beds would you?" Orochimaru asked.
"Um, no sir, we aren't often asked for singles… We might have a room with two doubles?" The man offered, the snake cringed at why there would be that option but tried his best to ignore it.
"No thanks… Jiraiya." Orochimaru said turning to face him, "Two separate beds will cost us more. We might as well go to a slightly better inn and use the same amount of money there."
"Or we could just accept sharing a bed." Jiraiya said, Orochimaru recalled his last encounter.
"Mm, I don't think so." Orochimaru said.
"This place doesn't offer refunds. Come on Oro we have no choice." Jiraiya said, "It won't be that bad we managed a single bed last time-" Jiraiya paused, the snake might bolt again at night.
You managed I can't say it was a good time… why has he stopped talking? What's his problem now?
"Problem?" Orochimaru asked.
"Yeah… you might run away again." Jiraiya said, "I need a way to prevent you from escaping."
The man behind the desk gave an obvious shocked grunt and shuffled some papers on the desk. He then looked at the two curiously. Orochimaru smiled and decided he could have some fun with the new idea he was just given.
Mess me around hey Jiraiya… haha… let us see who wins this.
An unconfirmed challenge had been set, which Sannin would drive the other insane first. Who would manage to ruin the other with the resources they had.
Jiraiya noticed the glint in his friends eyes and glared.
"What are you doing?" He asked sceptically.
"Nothing. Since that's all you will allow me to do." Orochimaru said, a fake pathetic voice now being emitted from the ninja.
"What are you thinking then?" Jiraiya tried again confused slightly.
"You have already taken my freedom, are my thoughts no longer my own either? Will you take what little I have left?" Orochimaru asked, his head lowered slightly his hair falling into perfect place. The man behind the desk looked at the snake sympathetically and glared at Jiraiya. That was when Jiraiya clicked and realised what the snake was doing.
"Oh no its not what it looks like. He's a rogue a criminal I'm just-" Jiraiya was cut short.
"Taking advantage of him because he is pretty and has no rights. I've seen this all before. Keeping those who have no where to run. It's sick. I knew I judged you correctly the first time."
"I'm not, I- ah forget it. We'll keep our room thank you." Jiraiya said tugging Orochimaru down the hall. Orochimaru chuckled lightly.
"What was that?" Jiraiya snapped, although he didn't sound angry.
"That was me having a bit of fun." Orochimaru said, "I wonder how many people here will side with me over you."
"Let's not test that. Damn it I'm ganna need a frikkin gag and chain for you." Jiraiya said.
"He giving you trouble?" A large man asked, he was a head and a half bigger than Jiraiya who was already tall to begin with. Orochimaru looked up at him in surprise but then allowed his façade to fall back into place. Playing the wounded and vulnerable, Jiraiya winced, if this guy picked a fight it would not be pretty. The snake truly was being difficult. Jiraiya laughed inside his head. Two could play at that game.
"So what if I am." Jiraiya said, the man glared at him and Orochimaru looked over confused, "Only thing you can do is take him from me, but that would surely be a waste of your time."
Don't you bloody dare.
"Well no he doesn't have to take me." Orochimaru said quickly, deciding to stunt Jiraiya's plan promptly, "He simply has to remove you."
"Not that removing me would do anything other than end him up in prison. I'm with the ANBU." Jiraiya said showing his badge, "If he attacks me I have rights to stop him, if he takes you on the other hand I can't do anything. So that would be the only problem I face… unless there is something you'd like to tell him?"
"Um… well no there isn't…" Orochimaru said, the tall man gave an angry look towards Jiraiya.
"Well then like you said, I'll just take him with me." The man said, "You can stay in my room tonight love."
"Oh… that's great…" Orochimaru lied, the man was being genuinely caring but it still annoyed the snake Sannin.
"Come on." The man said lightly guiding Orochimaru, the snake made a quick dart and jumped in a graceful motion back to Jiraiya.
"I don't want to cause anyone trouble, really its fine." He said quickly.
"Sweetheart, he won't be able to get to you if you're with me. It's no problem I'll keep you safe." The man said, Orochimaru shot Jiraiya an irritated look and then realised his position.
"In that case, if you swear my safety." Orochimaru said flawlessly faking a grateful and vulnerable voice. He glanced at Jiraiya this time with a content mischievous smile. Jiraiya eyed him worriedly, wondering how the other had found this to be his benefit. Then it him.
Haha there goes your gag and chain Jiraiya.
"Um, I actually can't let you do that." Jiraiya said quickly.
"I didn't expect you to let me punk." The man said, "If you want a fight we can always take this outside."
"No fights, that's not what I'm looking for although if we did by the way, I'd win, height doesn't mean that much-" Jiraiya was cut off, he never had mastered the art of saying simply what was needed.
"You'd win? Hopeful, but I can see your going to cause beautiful over there trouble all night. Let's settle this." The man said, Orochimaru looked on in amusement and stood aside as the two brashly walked past. He followed them out into the dirty looking street where onlookers watched eagerly all rooting for a fight.
"You know how fighting works here?" The man asked.
"No what are the rules?" Jiraiya said confidently.
"No ninjutsu, no Genjutsu no jutsu what so ever. Just fists. No weapons either, take any kunia's or other weapons off of you." The man said, Jiraiya nodded.
"Alright, Orochi hold my stuff." He said, Orochimaru nodded and came to collect both of their possessions. An onlooker whistled as he saw the long haired Sannin come into the fighting arena. Orochimaru ignored him and stepped away giving the two fighting men some space.
"Hey your next if you don't watch it." The man said to the whistling blond.
"Is this over him? I'll join." Another man said.
"Winner takes it all." The blond agreed stepping up.
"Don't worry Princess, I'll make sure to win you away from these freaks." Another man said as he joined.
"Um…" Jiraiya said as he saw the new three faces join the ring, he gulped down and looked at his opponents. He hadn't expected it to be a fight against four men, one was daunting enough. Considering he didn't have jutsu that was.
Orochimaru looked smug in the background, not because he had collected four men willing to fight for him within minutes but simply because he had found a way to get back at Jiraiya. He waved at Jiraiya as the white haired male glared at him, a content and deceptively feminine smile playing on his lips. The men stirred like a pack of dogs in a cage before they were released into the fighting pit. All riling each other up with insults and snide remarks. All of them over confident, even Jiraiya had picked up on the energy. Orochimaru watched on in amusement, although Jiraiya was not physically the biggest out of the men he had the highest chance of success. He was an experienced ninja, and even though he wasn't allowed to use jutsu, skill was something that could not be taken away. The fight commenced without a proper signal and the men engaged in a distasteful brawl. Orochimaru soon became disinterested in the primitive fight, not being one for animalistic behaviour. He started averting his eyes and backing away slowly. He didn't care for the battle any longer and the cold started to get over bearing. It had been funny while it lasted but soon it merely looked like a heap of meat rolling around. He entered the inn again and trotted up the stairs. He didn't want to be around to see who the victor was, just in case it wasn't Jiraiya and he was forced to try and get out of some weird mans clutches. He opened the door and locked it behind him, he was still disgusted with the bed room but decided it was better than nothing. He took a quick shower before slipping into the spacious bed, it was much more settling being alone again. Having used a lot of energy that day sleep took the Sannin quickly and the warm sheets of bedding helped increase the Sannins fatigue.
A knock on the door awoke the Sannin and he jolted up, he looked over to the clock only to discover he had only been asleep for thirty minutes. He got out of the warm bed reluctantly and sauntered to the door.
"Yes?"
"It's me, Oro let me in!" Jiraiya sounded from the other side.
"… And why would I do that?" Orochimaru asked.
"Because you're a decent human being…" Jiraiya tried.
"You recently said I wasn't. I recall you saying I was no longer human or decent back in the Konoha holding cells." Orochimaru replied leaning on the closed door idly inspecting his nails as he spoke.
"Come on open up, I'm all dirty and tired." Jiraiya said.
"That hardly affects me." Orochimaru said.
"Ugh, Oro come on please… I won the fight…" Jiraiya said.
"Oh good, out of all the brainless brutes you were the best." Orochimaru replied, "Congratulations."
"Will you just open the door, its not like I can't get in with force." Jiraiya said.
"True words coming from the alpha brute I suppose. Feel free to let yourself in then" Orochimaru laughed.
"You are so difficult. Fine." Jiraiya said, Orochimaru heard the footsteps of the other male disappear down the hall and he chuckled before going back to the bed. What Jiraiya decided to do was his own choice. Orochimaru clambered back into the bed and pulled the blankets around him securely. Once again sleep took him with out hesitation. When he awoke again it was pitch black and there was another breathing figure beside him in the bed. Orochimaru was startled at first before realising it was Jiraiya. He had clearly found some way into the room, not very surprising for a ninja. The room had lost several degrees of temperature and the snake shivered and drew the blankets closer, he was once again grateful for Jiraiya's shared body heat. Orochimaru considered his option of running. Jiraiya had allowed him to sleep unchained and free. He could easily escape straight out the front door for that matter. Something held him back though, despite the easy escape route the snake stayed. He stayed long enough for the plan to slip past him and for sleep to claim him for the third time easily. He stayed long enough to be certain he was not going to go. Was it the risk of death? Or something else, what ever it was the snake ended up shifting closer to the muscular form behind him. Close, but not too close. Just as the snake always kept people he wished to trust.
