Warning: This is a dark chapter. Contains lemon and rape.
A/N: I am not character bashing. Sasuke is a tortured soul in this story and I felt I had to explain why. But he's also a hero and has many great qualities about him. I like to think of myself as elevating his character to something more beautiful than what I perceive it to be in the canon. What Sasuke goes through here adds to that, in my mind.
Thanks for reading! Pls review!
Chapter 9
Sasuke traveled swiftly. A part of him wondered how he was able to cover as much ground as he did, when his very being seemed weighted down by thoughts of Naruto. He hates me, Sasuke thought. That last look Naruto had given him haunted him. His mind kept swinging back and forth between certainty that Naruto had left him for good, and faith in his friend. He felt like the stress this ambiguity caused him –and ambiguity was not something Sasuke ever experienced- was slowly driving him mad. Like the floor had suddenly been ripped from under his feet and he was floundering.
He admitted to himself that he was hanging on by a thread. Soon, very soon, he'd probably kill the first person he came across and keep killing until he could escape the black despair threatening to engulf him.
Naruto, he thought as he sped through the forest. Even if you've left me, I'm going to carry out this mission. But this fresh thought brought on such a wave of loneliness that he at last stopped against a tree. He leaned on it heavily, head between his hands. He was tired. He'd been traveling non-stop since he'd set out last night. It wasn't noon, yet. He decided to make camp.
He went a little farther, until he located a tiny clearing nestled between three big trees. Sasuke pulled out food and tried to eat. His stomach was too tied up in knots; he couldn't manage it. He then tried stretching out and sleeping. Though he was exhausted, this too, eluded him. He tried to think of something relaxing. The only thing he could come up with was whenever he slept at Naruto's apartment.
Before Naruto's mom had died, Sasuke had been a frequent visitor at the Uzumaki household. He and Naruto always seemed to have so much to talk about, that they felt they needed every second of the day together. Then there were the nightmares Sasuke suffered from. They occurred three or four times a week. Images of that night of blood and death always had him waking up screaming, drenched in sweat. At Naruto's house, asleep in his room, he'd never experienced a nightmare. He felt such peace, listening to Naruto's snores, knowing his friend would wake instantly if he needed him. He'd been able to relax utterly. On cold nights, Naruto sometimes joined him on the floor or Sasuke climbed next to him in the bed. They slept back to back, sharing body heat. Those times were the best. He slept so deeply that Naruto often had to yell to wake him up.
On those occasions, Naruto always kidded him about his wild sleeping habits. He was worse than Naruto, falling asleep in one place and ending up on the other side of the room. Many were the times Naruto woke to find Sasuke sprawled half on the bed, half off.
Sasuke felt himself falling asleep. Perhaps it was because he'd opened the door to memories, something he was careful not to do. Perhaps it was because Naruto wasn't with him. Whatever the reason, when he was finally asleep, he dreamed of his time with Orochimaru.
He'd been on his way home from his night with Naruto at his mom's grave. It was midday.
Naruto had fallen asleep on his shoulder at dawn and Sasuke had remained, letting his friend find what comfort he could in his inadequate presence. He'd spent hours watching the slow rise and fall of Naruto's chest. The motion had still been interrupted occasionally by hiccoughs of grief. Sometime during the morning Naruto slid down and rested his head in Sasuke's lap, still deeply asleep. Sasuke noticed how the fine hairs at the other boy's temple were so light a blonde as to be almost white. There were streaks of this lighter blonde throughout his thick, shiny hair. He leaned down to smell this bright abundance. Naruto always smelled so clean to him.
When Naruto woke up, he declared that he didn't want to be alone, that he wanted Sasuke to spend a few days with him if is mom would allow it. Sasuke had readily agreed. He told his friend that he would get some clothes and meet him at his house in an hour. They'd parted ways then, Naruto walking as if every step was an effort.
Sasuke did not see Naruto again for nearly a year.
***
Less than 3 blocks from his house, Sasuke had been ambushed by four unknown ninjas from the Sound village. He'd fought hard, using every technique he could think of, to no effect. The curse seal he'd received during the first Chuunin exam had begun to release. The fat one among them got him in a bear hug, the other three holding his legs down, and proceeded to suck the chakra right out of him. He'd glanced around in desperation from the prison of their arms, hoping someone would see and help him. There was no one. He felt himself losing consciousness, and screamed with every ounce of strength he had left. "NARUTO!"
He heard the female curse, felt something strike his head. All had gone dark.
When next he was awake, he was in the forest, surrounded by his attackers, gagged and bound. It was night. He saw that they were seriously injured, two of them bleeding badly. It was then that he also noticed that they, himself included, were drenched with water. What had happened while he was unconscious?
The two-headed one spoke. "Orochimaru-sama is disappointed. He felt sure you would seek him out after he'd given you the gift of the curse seal. He refuses to be denied your body. We're here to bring you to him." He took a small bottle out of his pocket and shook the contents into his hand.
Sasuke struggled, snarling through his gag. The wires binding him cut into his flesh. The female and the spider dude held him upright. The fat one held his head by the hair, leeching his chakra while the two-headed one removed his gag. His mouth was forced open, pills dropped in and poked roughly down his throat with two hard fingers. Sasuke began to vomit, but the female held his nose and the two-headed one held his jaw shut. He swallowed, fighting for air.
Pain hit him and he went limp from it. They released him, letting him fall heavily to the ground. He was dimly aware, through the pain fogging his mind, that they were performing some kind of ritual jutsu. He tried to stand, forgetting that he was bound. He had to get away, get back to the village. Naruto was waiting for him. His friend's face burst into his brain, ravaged and tear-streaked. "Don't leave me," he had said. And Sasuke had promised not to leave. He couldn't let these people take him!
He rolled over with a great effort, nearly blacking out. His body was slick with blood from the wires binding him. He managed to get to his knees.
The fat chakra-sucking ninja came over to him and picked him up. Sasuke saw himself being carried to a large barrel and renewed his struggles, the wires cutting deeper. The ninja carrying him almost dropped him, his hands slipping on the slick blood, but he managed to get Sasuke into the barrel.
"No! No! Narutooo! Mooooooom! HELP ME, SOMEBODY, PLEASE!" In his fear, Sasuke had cried out to the night, calling to the people closest to him. He'd hoped a passing ANBU unit would hear him and respond, but all he heard was the laughter of the four ninjas as they placed the lid on his coffin, shutting out his view of the moon and stars. He passed from consciousness shortly afterward.
***
He had confused, disjointed dreams. Strange sounds reached his ears. Pain laced through all of this, distorting his perceptions further.
"Hand over Sasuke!"
"Jirobou, take him! We must get the vessel back to Orochimaru-sama!"
Sounds of battle. The endless rise and fall of traveling through trees. Running. Curses.
***
He woke up in a darkened room, a single candle sputtering on a crate nearby. He could not remember anything at first, traces of the drug still clouding his mind. He brought his hand up to his face, only to discover his hands were chained to something he was lying on. His arm came up a few inches before being checked by the length of chain connected to the manacle on his wrist. He lifted the other arm and both legs. All of his limbs were chained. A draft passed over him and he became aware of his nudity. Whatever surface he was on seemed to be made of stone. It chilled his skin, bringing goose bumps. He turned his head at the sound of a door creaking open and saw a nightmare of his come to life.
Orochimaru stood in the doorway, the candlelight flickering over his greasy self-satisfied face. Sasuke would know that visage anywhere. It had haunted his dreams for the last six months. The sight of it brought everything that had happened back to him with the force of a hammer descending on his skull.
Sasuke did not move, or in any way respond to his surroundings or the man standing a few feet away. He would not give him that pleasure. He was thinking furiously. He was in deep shit. No one knew where he was or he wouldn't be lying here. If Orochimaru felt in danger of being discovered any time soon, they would still be moving. He wanted Sasuke's body for some sick body transfer technique. All this had been explained to him after the first part of the Chuunin exam, when he'd gotten the curse seal. The Third had told him he would be safe enough if he didn't go to Orochimaru (as if Sasuke wanted to!). He was safe in the village, with people looking out for him. Orochimaru wouldn't dare come into the village and try to take him. And Sasuke was on his guard. That was to his advantage, since Orochimaru had blindsided them last time.
Here, Sasuke thought, was one more reason for him to hate the village. Everything the Third had said was utter bullshit. No one was looking out for him. They'd let him get taken. And Orochimaru had come right into Konoha and killed the Third's stupid lying ass. The only person who would look out for Sasuke was probably wondering where the hell he was. Would Naruto look for him? He didn't see how, if no one knew where he was.
Orochimaru smiled, slowly walking towards him. Sasuke felt a mindless, creeping fear fluttering through his naked body. He tried molding chakra, but couldn't detect an ounce within himself. Orochimaru stopped and leaned his palms on the edge of the stone slab Sasuke was on. His voice was the rasp of dead things come to life.
"Your friend is quite amazing. He almost managed to stop my subjects from bringing you. Almost, but not quite. Such power! Perhaps I will use him, after I am done with you." He paused expectantly, as if waiting for Sasuke to ask what he meant. Though Sasuke did not give him the satisfaction, the Sannin saw the confusion in his eyes.
"Your friend, the very same friend that came to your defense during the Chuunin exam. Uzumaki Naruto, I believe? I must say, he certainly has improved since then, hasn't he? Who taught him? Not Kakashi. He came upon my subjects carrying you. I am told he went quite insane. They almost drowned in the whirlpool he unleashed. All four of my loyal followers are in very bad condition. They had to activate their Level Two seals. It took all of them to subdue him. This they managed to do for only a short time, as the boy was apparently able to inform someone. My people were pursued for days." He tsked after this little speech, seemingly annoyed.
Oh, God! Naruto! Hot tears blurred Sasuke's vision of his kidnapper.
Orochimaru watched the tears rolling down the sides of his head, pleased with this display of helplessness. He caressed Sasuke's stomach, laughing softly when the boy jerked violently.
"Sadly, I can not use this beautiful body right now. Your friend delayed your arrival so long with his actions that I was forced to use another. No matter. You will remain with me until it is time for me to take another body. And then, Sasuke-kun," he purred, moving his hand lower. "Then you will be mine."
Sasuke broke his silence at last as he felt the cold, wet hand grip his balls tightly. He opened his mouth and cursed Orochimaru to hell and back at the top of his lungs. He pulled on his chains with all his might, willing his body to produce chakra.
In the forest, Sasuke's body twitched. A tiny spark of lightening shot from his hand. His head tossed restlessly as he slept deeply, a frown creasing his forehead.
Orochimaru had chuckled as he walked out of the room, closing the door on the raving boy in chains.
That had been the first day.
The next day, Kabuto had come to him with food. Sasuke's chakra had returned and he'd grabbed Kabuto's arm as he'd neared the stone slab. He'd released lightning chakra, causing Kabuto to cry out and drop the tray. "You'll pay for that," Kabuto hissed. Sasuke spat at him.
They left him chained to that slab for a week, lying in his own waste. He grew weak, dehydrated. Once a day, the fat one called Jirobou came in, sucked his chakra and poured a few teaspoons of water down his parched throat. That was all. He saw no one else and received no other nourishment. He grew delirious. By the end of that week he was very near death. He had a dream.
***
In the dream he was very small, maybe four or five. He was playing in the sand at the beach. His brother Itachi was playing with him, helping him make a sandcastle. Suddenly, a disturbance out to sea made them stand up and approach the water's edge. A massive whirlpool was swirling in the ocean, bigger than all of Konoha. The whirlpool rose up and became a gigantic funnel of water. Sasuke gasped delightedly. He turned to his brother to ask what it was, but Itachi was no longer standing there. It was Naruto. A Naruto that was thirteen and tall next to the small Sasuke. He gazed up at him in wonder. Naruto spoke.
"You're dying, Sasuke."
"What? No I'm not, I'm making a sandcastle, see?" He pointed to it.
"And you will build that sandcastle forever. We have promises to keep, Sasuke."
"No. Go away. I want my brother!"
"I am your brother. Don't you remember the promises we made?"
Sasuke had recalled their pact then. And suddenly he wasn't five anymore. He was thirteen, a prisoner and dying. The beach disappeared. But Naruto remained. He looked at Sasuke, face fiercely beautiful.
"I promised to bring you back if you ever left me. I'm coming for you, Sasuke."
"I can't fight them."
"Then don't. Survive. I'm coming for you. Be ready."
Sasuke had woken up then, lucid for the first time in days. The dream, and Naruto's voice, were still with him.
***
He knew it hadn't really been Naruto. It had been his own mind urging him not to give up and providing very good reasons to survive his circumstances however he could. And there was something else his dream had reminded him of. Itachi. He was sure he could learn a lot from Orochimaru, become many times stronger than he was now. He swore to himself, though, that if the fucker touched him again…
He pushed the thought away. How could he have forgotten Naruto? Of course he'd be coming for him. Sasuke would not rest until Naruto was safe again, had their positions been reversed. He thought of what Naruto must be going through with his kidnapping, so soon after his mother's death. He would aid Naruto's efforts as best he could. He would be ready when he came, for there was no doubt whatsoever in Sasuke's mind that Naruto would be coming. The thought gave him new strength. Not much, but it was something. He took stock of his condition.
He would accept whatever food they brought from now on. He needed to regain his strength quickly. He hoped Orochimaru would be willing to teach him. Sasuke was determined to do as his brother said and gain strength by any means available to him. Though it galled him to take anything from the monster, he couldn't deny that he had a wealth of jutsus. Maybe by the time Naruto came for him he would be on his level. Naruto had far surpassed him with his mother's training.
***
A day or so later, Kabuto had come to him with food again. Sasuke let himself be fed without comment. Some days later, the Sound Four, as he thought of them, came in, cleaned him up and took him to another room. The first breath of air he had outside of his previous room was so sweet, he almost fainted. The stench of his filth had kept him slightly dizzy. He walked slowly, aided by the female, to the room he was being led to. This room had a metal cage, roughly six feet by eight. They put him in it and locked it. The Sound ninjas stood guard at the four corners of the cage.
Sasuke examined the cage he was in briefly, before sitting down. It felt good to be in a position other than flat on his back. His muscles were weak from disuse. That short walk had tired him. They did not suck his chakra again or speak to him.
Kabuto brought him food and water once a day. Once it became clear that he wasn't going to try and escape, his guards were replaced with other, lesser ninja. These were rotated in 12-hour shifts. Finally, three weeks after he'd been abducted, Orochimaru made another appearance.
"Ahhh, Sasuke-kun. I missed the sight of your beautiful body." His eyes roved over the boy's nudity. "You seem to be in a better mood, yes?"
"I want to learn from you." Sasuke gritted his teeth. "I won't try to escape."
"And why would you want to learn from me, your kidnapper?" Orochimaru's eyes were bright with interest.
Sasuke had his answer ready. "So I can become strong enough to avenge my clan."
"Then why didn't you come to me yourself?"
"The Third wouldn't let me."
"You fought my men when they brought you here," Orochimaru pointed out.
"I thought they were trying to kill me. I was scared." Sasuke lowered his eyes to the floor. He couldn't let this asshole see the lies or the hatred he felt.
Orochimaru appeared thoughtful. "Perhaps. I would much prefer your body to be more skilled when I take it over. We will see."
But apparently, he'd agreed with Sasuke. He was given clothes and his lessons began a few days later. He learned quickly, soaking up everything Orochimaru taught him rapidly. Orochimaru seemed well pleased with the progress he was making.
***
It was roughly a month later that Orochimaru summoned Sasuke to his room one night.
"You sent for me?" Sasuke asked carefully.
Orochimaru was sitting in a chair, the room lit by candles. "Yes. It's time you began paying for your lessons."
"Pay? I don't understand. I don't have-"
"You have everything I want." Orochimaru smiled thinly. "Come closer, Sasuke-kun."
Sasuke, wary, walked towards the man that instilled such fear and hatred in him. It was a struggle to keep his hands from shaking with the force of his dislike.
Orochimaru stood up when Sasuke was but a foot away. He ran his hand through Sasuke's hair that was now shoulder length. When Sasuke tried to jerk his head away, the tall man held him still by a fistful of his thick black locks. He brought his face down to Sasuke's, inhaling the boy's breath. His tongue came out, impossibly long, and slowly licked Sasuke's mouth. Sasuke let out a disgusted cry, pushing against Orochimaru's chest as he tried to twist away. Orochimaru held him easily as he spoke in his soft voice.
"You know, Sasuke-kun, I originally wanted Itachi-kun to be my vessel. Sadly, your brother is too powerful for me. Now that I have you, I don't intend to let you get away. I will have an Uchiha as my vessel. Now. Your lessons are not free. You will pay for them by whatever means I see fit, or they will cease. Do you want your lessons to cease, Sasuke-kun?"
Sasuke stopped struggling. Quite apart from his promise to his brother, he wanted to get stronger so he could kill this madman.
"I didn't think so. And here's what I want in payment." Orochimaru's hand reached into Sasuke's pants and softly caressed his penis. Sasuke felt nausea and revulsion crawling over his skin, but he managed to stay still. Hatred boiled in him with maddening intensity.
Seeing that Sasuke didn't pull away from his touch, Orochimaru smiled. "Good boy. Let me show you exactly how it is done. Kabuto!"
Kabuto had apparently been right outside the door. He appeared instantly. Without any further instructions from his master, Kabuto went to Orochimaru and began stripping. He did this facing Sasuke, smirking. When he was nude, Orochimaru came up behind him. He sneered at Sasuke over Kabuto's shoulder. Sasuke backed against a wall. Reaching around the younger man's torso, the Sannin fondled Kabuto's testicles causing the bespectacled man to lean his head back against his lover and sigh. Orochimaru then turned him around and caused him to kneel. Kabuto unfastened Orochimaru's pants releasing his long thin member. Sasuke watched in sick fascination as the thing briefly transformed into a writhing snake, before reverting to mere flesh again. Kabuto caressed it before putting it in his mouth.
Shame made Sasuke look away, but Orochimaru commanded him to watch and learn if he valued his lessons. Reluctantly, Sasuke looked at what was taking place across the room. He swore to himself that he wouldn't do it, couldn't allow this freak to touch him like that. He'd go crazy if he did.
Escape was out of the question. Though he had told Orochimaru that he wouldn't attempt it, he'd secretly studied his surroundings and the security around the place. He wasn't strong enough to get past all the Sound ninja stationed around the hideout. And if by some miracle he did, he still wasn't strong enough to defeat Orochimaru.
By some unspoken agreement between the two men, Kabuto turned around, stood up, and leaned his hands against the back of the chair Orochimaru had vacated. The dark-haired man came up behind Kabuto and spread his cheeks. Independent of any guidance from its owner, Orochimaru's penis sought entry to Kabuto's waiting ass. Sasuke gasped at the same time Kabuto did. Both men groaned in pleasure as Orochimaru used him quickly.
Sasuke saw all this and knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he would rather die than go through what he was seeing. But my promises, he thought, torn. Abruptly he became aware that the two men had finished. They were looking at him predatorily. "No," he whispered. "Please."
Sasuke tossed and turned in agitation in the forest. Bolts of lightning chakra leaped off him, shooting from his hands. Some of these disappeared into the trees, setting them on fire.
"Bring him," Orochimaru had hissed. Kabuto complied. He brought a cowering Sasuke by his hair and forced him to kneel in front of his master. He jerked the boy's head back causing him to gasp in pain. Orochimaru seized this opportunity and guided his still dripping cock into Sasuke's mouth.
Sasuke bit him as hard as he could.
But Orochimaru was ready for that. Sasuke felt the flesh in his mouth come alive and realized the snake was back. He gagged, choking on the bile that rose up in his throat. He could feel the snake trying to bite his tongue as he pulled his head back, trying to shake loose of Kabuto's grip.
"You'll behave yourself or things will become very unpleasant indeed, Sasuke-kun," Orochimaru intoned. "Let's try again, shall we?"
Sasuke could not endure that snake again. He stilled his movements, tears of white hot rage and hate spilling from his eyes. Orochimaru pressed the tip of his penis against Sasuke's closed lips and Sasuke opened his mouth. It was the hardest thing he'd ever had to do.
Orochimaru forced the boy's mouth wider with his cock, sliding his hips back and forth. After a few minutes he said, "Kabuto-san. Let's give Sasuke-kun a full lesson tonight."
Sasuke, who'd kept his eyes on Orochimaru's face, felt Kabuto raising him to his knees. Orochimaru pulled out of his mouth and took Kabuto's place behind him. Kabuto came around to stand in front of Sasuke. He placed his short, thick cock in Sasuke's mouth just as he felt Orochimaru enter him from behind.
It was pain such as Sasuke had not known existed. For someone whose skin was always cold to the touch, Orochimaru's cock was burning hot. Whatever fluids leaked out of him felt like acid inside Sasuke. He tried to scream as Kabuto and Orochimaru laughed. They did not stop their motions.
When it was over, they left him shivering and retching on the floor by the chair. Kabuto blew out the candles before he left. Orochimaru paused in the doorway to regard Sasuke. His eyes glittered in the light from the hall. "You know, you pleased me greatly tonight, Sasuke-kun. It need not be so painful next time." He'd turned then, and closed the door, leaving the damaged boy in the dark.
Sasuke lay there, feeling blood and semen leak from him. Naruto, he'd thought in abject misery. Naruto, please, please, please come. Hurry.
Sasuke had been there nine months.
Naruto raced with every ounce of speed he could muster along the now familiar path to the Sand village. Sasuke had almost a full day's head start and probably wasn't dawdling. He debated whether or not to open the first gate in order to obtain more speed. He disliked using the gates for anything but battle, yet he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that Sasuke needed him. The sensation had come over him of a sudden and he didn't question it. Mind made up, he opened the first gate and turned on the jets. The trees became a blur as he leapt agilely among them.
The first thing to reach Naruto was the smell of smoke and burning. He stopped on a branch, listening, all senses alert. Less than a minute later a loud roaring reached his ears followed almost immediately by a wall of fire rushing towards him. The flames were consuming everything in their path. Animals fled before it and Naruto could feel the heat starting to crack his skin. He acted without thinking.
"Water style: Mystical Wave!"
An enormous wave of water erupted in front of him and cut a swath through the raging flames, dousing them completely. He began moving forward again, going more slowly. He directed the water towards any remaining fires he glimpsed.
A flash of lightning ahead made him release his jutsu. Cautiously, he proceeded towards where he'd seen the blue-white light. He heard yelling and cursing, unmistakably Sasuke's voice. Naruto ran forward. "Sasuke! SASUKE!"
Naruto tried, but was unable to get near him. He could see him about fifty feet away, yelling and thrashing on the forest floor. One of the trees near Sasuke was in danger of falling on him. Lightning crackled and flashed all around him; the forest floor around Sasuke was scorched in a twenty foot diameter. Naruto watched in horror as the tree leaned precariously, creaking and groaning as its roots came free of the earth.
The only thing he could think of to do was to combat the lightning with wind. Naruto quickly called up his chakra and created a small tornado around himself. The lightning that touched the swirling surface was immediately nullified. He leapt to Sasuke's side, picked him up kicking and swinging, and jumped to a safer location. The tree crashed behind him.
Naruto tried to wake Sasuke up; some of those lightening bolts were starting to get past his tornado. "Sasuke!"
Nothing. Naruto stared down at him. Sasuke usually slept like the dead, but this was something else. Sasuke was a first rate ninja. He wouldn't allow himself to become this senseless to his surroundings. Something held him in the grip of a powerful nightmare.
Prior to the kidnapping, Sasuke had never had nightmares when he slept at Naruto's house. Afterwards, though, was another story. Once Sasuke had returned to the village he spent most nights at Naruto's. And most nights he had terrible nightmares. Whatever had happened during his time with Orochimaru, it had been worse than the night his entire clan was slaughtered. Naruto always woke his friend up before the nightmares got out of hand, though. This, Naruto reflected as he watched Sasuke whimpering and shaking, this must be what would happen if he left Sasuke in a nightmare. Well, enough was enough. He coated his hand with chakra and placed it on Sasuke's forehead. He forced the chakra into his friend. Sasuke quieted at once. Seconds later he opened his eyes.
Sasuke blinked confusedly at the canopy of trees. He saw Naruto watching him and an amazing thing happened. Something Naruto had never seen him do: Sasuke screwed up his face and began to cry.
