Orochimaru made his way to the garden, making sure to do his best at keeping on Yiara's good side. He should have known the man was far more sinister than he put on. He had shown that sick side back at the circus. The group had fallen into a false sense of security just as Yiara had wanted. But the snake had just been reminded of this fact, and the illusion of safety was far more than just dispelled. A snakes owner should never try discipline their snake, you can hit a dog, it will get the picture. But a snake is different, never has someone succeeded in training a snake by raising a hand. The snake may get hit the first time, it might be taken by surprise, but should that same hand ever re-enter the snakes cage… its safe to say the hand will be the first thing that is struck.
The morning air sent chills up the Sannin's spine, although it was no longer as cold it was still enough for the cold blooded male to be uncomfortable. He located his supposed owner swiftly and made his way to his side. Yiara looked at the Sannin and smiled in his usual composed demeanour. The game was up however. The snake was not fooled. Orochimaru stopped, making a point of putting a larger gap between them. He always kept his space, so the extra gap was a clear sign of the distrust the snake felt. Yiara looked some what troubled before making a move to get closer to the Sannin, Yiara stepped forwards, Orochimaru stepped back.
"Its alright." Yiara said as if he was speaking to a startled animal. Orochimaru offered no response, he knew it was, but why should he speak? It was clear what they thought of his opinions after all. Yiara tried once more to get closer, but the snake made an immediate effort to shift away again. Orochimaru met his eyes, uncertainty written across them, but no trace of fear. Yiara shook his head.
"You really are sensitive creatures," he said, "we are you doing you such a favour by keeping you in captivity."
Orochimaru double took the sentence. Favour? It was far from what he would call a favour. He didn't reply despite it, he would never speak if Yiara would treat him in such a way. He would get punished if he said the wrong thing, and he would never say the right thing since he had no care for Yiara or his ideas. Coming up with a response that met both their needs half way was effort Yiara did not deserve.
"Are you just going to stand there then?" Yiara asked, Orochimaru didn't move. The snake hardly even seemed to be listening, but he was. His eyes, his golden eyes were locked onto Yiara's. Almost reading into his soul.
"right then, that's just perfect." Yiara said some what irritably.
"Is he being stubborn again?" The woman from earlier said, "Such a stubborn thing, I bet he'll throw me. Throw me to my untimely death if I set foot on him."
That wasn't a bad idea Orochimaru said inside his head, in fact it was the best thing he had heard all day.
"he will do no such thing." Yiara said, "I know how to keep my pets in check Cousin." He then moved over to one of the guards and said something. Orochimaru knew what was being said and as if to confirm it he felt his chakara return. He waited for the command to be given by Yiara, who instantly turned to face him.
"Transform my dear." He said. Smoke emerged and so did eight large heads. The woman squealed in either fright or excitement. The Sannin didn't care, he lowered one head while his others noticed another scene he didn't want to witness. A ninja, no older than eight being dragged away from someone he desperately tried to get to. It wasn't long before the older ninja broke out of the NW's hold and rushed to the child. It wasn't long before he heard a shot, before he smelt blood, before he saw them fall. The bodies were limp the older one still lying on top of the youngster, still even in death trying to protect it. The bullet had sailed straight through the protective meat shield and straight into the small form behind it. Two lives with one bullet. Orochimaru flicked his had away from the scene unable to watch it. How different it was when all the ninja had an equal shot at each other. Give them the chance to fight, don't cage them and put a bullet through their heads. They would all die eventually, but this was not the way it should have happened. Yiara and the Cousin were still trying to get onto the large head of the snake, and had clearly not heard the shot or seen the snakes rapid retreat. They were still human, and their senses were not as sharp. He dared not look at the city again, there were far too many attacks on the ninja around there.
"Alright we are on lift us up Oro." Yiara called, Orochimaru did as he was told and moved upwards until he heard Yiara ask him to stop. He immediately did, and waited there.
"It's to high put me down!" She squeaked. Yiara gave her an unimpressed glance.
"You had me harm my very best ninja to get you up here safely." He said, "get over your fear and enjoy the bloody view will you. He won't let you fall."
"It's hard to enjoy anything here, with your yelling and his… man eating sized mouth." She said quickly.
"Of all the ways to kill you right now, eating you is not one of them." Yiara said, "Just look at the city my dear cousin."
Orochimaru waited, rather impatiently as the two bickered on him. He aimlessly held himself as still as possible to make sure the frantic woman calmed down. He couldn't help feel misused, of all the things to be doing he was practically a Ferris-wheel. It wasn't too long after that, that he was signalled down. He lowered his head and watched the woman cautiously get off before bolting to safety, she checked the snake out before walking back over and placing a hand on his large head. Orochimaru let one golden eye move down to observe her, she almost backed away but Yiara came to her side.
"See, he is good," Yiara said, "If we train him right, he'll be the most loyal companion to date."
"Haha and what other tricks will you have him doing Cousin?" She asked, she had a sly almost playful look on her face. Orochimaru didn't find the joke funny, in fact its insidious tone had him worried.
"He will do what ever I will." Yiara said. Orochimaru looked at Yiara, he had the urge to eat the man where he stood, "let him go."
With that his chakara disappeared and so did his transformation. He returned to his original form, his light beige jersey once again protecting his skin from the air. Yiara turned to face him and tried to get close again.
"Later my dear pet," He said, Orochimaru moved away before they made any contact. Yiara looked at him some what offended some what sadly. He shook his head and then moved to his cousin to hurry her along.
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Kakashi didn't really know what to do with himself when Orochimaru was not around. When ever that habit happened he didn't know. He walked back to the main diner where he could find the others but on arrival noticed they were absent. He then decided to go to the small garden near the bar, if all else failed perhaps grab a drink from the bar itself. By the time he reached the bar he heard someone call him.
"Kakashi?" He spun around to see who had spoken.
"Asuma." Kakashi greeted happily, he instantly made his way over. Asuma looked around to scan the area for any NW, Kakashi knew he would not get into any trouble and didn't spare a glance.
"I couldn't be gladder to see a familiar face." Asuma said in genuine gratitude.
"I've run into a few, just wish they could stick around." Kakashi replied, "What are you doing here."
"Ha, there's a question I don't want to answer." He said.
"The jobs aren't always the most glamorous I guess." Kakashi replied, he then saw Asuma glance around nervously, "I live here, you wont have to worry about NW's."
"What do you mean… live here?" Asuma asked, it wasn't long before Kakashi had explained the entire situation to his old friend.
"Ino and Shika are happy then?" Asuma asked in relief.
"I don't know where Ino ended up after the show… but Shika is around I can help you find him." Kakashi said.
"I wont be allowed off work, but if we can sneak around maybe." Asuma said trying to map out a good way.
"Like I said, just say you are with me, and I'll say I'm with Orochimaru, then Yiara will let it slide. Just don't be rude to his bitch of a cousin." Kakashi said, he wasn't one for crass language himself, but she had brought out the worst in him rather swiftly. Asuma didn't know what was weirder, the word choice or the name choice.
"O-Orochimaru…" Asuma asked, "Is he here?"
"Yeah, he is my roommate, along with Deidara and Kisame." Kakashi said.
"That must be horrible, ugh living with that bastard." Asuma said.
"Bastard?" Kakashi asked.
"Orochimaru." Asuma repeated.
"There is nothing wrong with him. He is different with out his chakara." Kakashi said, unsure whether he should defend the criminal in front of his old friend. Of course no matter how much his brain told him not to let the two worlds collide, he felt more compelled to defend the Sannin.
"He just cant kill you now, doesn't mean he wont. Don't get close to him Kakashi he will stab you in the back." Asuma said.
"I doubt it." Kakashi said, "He isn't the same."
"How do you know?" Asuma said, "You didn't know him."
"Neither did you." Kakashi snapped, "Besides, none of us knew him. Maybe he didn't change, maybe we misunderstood."
"Jiraiya knew him. Tsunade knew him. Fuck, my dad knew him Kakashi." Asuma said, Kakashi recalled the Third Hokage. Recalled Orochimaru killing him.
"His actions may have been wrong, but-"
"How dare you defend him!" Asuma said angrily, "he murdered my father after all he did to help him!"
"People aren't born evil Asuma." Kakashi tried again.
"Their what? Made? I don't give a crap when he turned evil or why. All I know is he is evil now. Past and future mean nothing. Lets look at the present." Asuma said.
"Could you listen." Kakashi tried again.
"So you can what defend-"
"Kakashi." Orochimaru said coming to his side. He met Asuma's cold eyes, Orochimaru almost wanted to retreat when they landed on him. Almost, but he had been pushed around before and sworn since not to let that happen again. Instead he met Asuma with an equally clinical stare, but more composed. More assured.
"How dare you say his name." Asuma said.
"He isn't God my dear sir." Orochimaru said unimpressed with the new guest.
"You are not welcomed by any shinobi from Konoha." Asuma sneered. He wanted to hit the Sannin who stood confidently before him, he wanted to knock the confidence straight out of his eyes.
"Konoha? Ah, and old enemy." Orochimaru said brushing hair away from his eyes, "Bit last year don't you think. We have… bigger problems if you will."
"When we get out, you're dying with these bastards." Asuma snapped.
"You're Asuma, Sensei's son-" he was taken aback as Asuma lashed at him. Kakashi was quick to grab Asuma and pull him away from the smaller male. Orochimaru placed his hands above his eye, he instantly felt blood on them. He pulled his hands away from his face to check if there was any blood, and he saw the trickle of crimson. Kakashi looked back and saw the contrasting red on the snakes face, a small gash right above his eye. Golden slitted orbs flashed up at Asuma angrily.
"That answers that I suppose." Orochimaru sneered, he backed away a bit in case the large male attacked him again.
"How dare you!" Asuma snapped at the serpent, "Let me go!"
"what the hell do you think you're doing!" Kakashi said, he pushed Asuma into the wall, but Asuma was not weak. He was met with a strong force as Asuma barrelled into him trying to get past. It wasn't long before NW guards came rushing over. They knew the Sannin, they knew the copy ninja. They did not know Asuma.
"Execute him we have a rebel." One said.
"Wait no!" Kakashi said quickly, Asuma was brought to a halt. An NW rushed to Orochimaru, recognising Yiara's favourite in seconds.
"Are you alright what happened is he a rebel?" She asked. Asuma glanced at the snake worriedly, the serpent could have him dead in the minute if he simply issued the words. Kakashi met the Sannin's eyes. Asuma had no doubt the snake would let him die, he was a proud ninja, and being attacked because of his small size when he was sealed was a sure way to get on his bad side. He had no mercy for his enemies.
"No, I'm fine." Orochimaru said, "he is no rebel let him go."
"Are-are you sure?" She said confused.
"I'm certain." Orochimaru said, "It was nothing."
The woman moved away from the Sannin and signalled for the guards to leave.
"Thank God." Kakashi breathed he had no doubt the Sannin would spare his old friend. He then offered to fetch a bandage from the nurse to put on Orochimaru's wound, the Sannin agreed with it and Kakashi ran to catch up with her.
"I thought you'd kill me…" Asuma said, "Perhaps I was a bit wrong."
"I would have killed you." Orochimaru said, his voice as dark and sinister as it had been in the years of their fighting.
"Would have?" Asuma said, cursing himself for thinking the snake was a good person to soon.
"Yes. Would have." Orochimaru said.
"Why didn't you? Not a good enough punishment?" Asuma said darkly. Orochimaru offered no reply, he simply moved towards Kakashi. Any death would be a good enough punishment. It was far from the case. But he would sooner jump in front of a train than admit he couldn't bear let the copy ninja down. He couldn't quite admit it to himself yet.
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"Lovely friends you have." Orochimaru said with a small smile, Kakashi had done a great job with patching up the wound. It wasn't large and a small bandage was wrapped around him, looking much like a head band. Kakashi thought it looked rather cute on him, he then tried to brush the weird thoughts aside once more.
"You didn't leave a good last impression now did you." Kakashi said back with a small smirk.
"… I killed his father." Orochimaru said, his tone some what dropping.
"The Third." Kakashi said, "yes you did."
"He had reason to attack me." Orochimaru said.
"He had reason, but that doesn't mean it was right. I'm sure you had reason to kill the Third as well, didn't you?"
"It was not on a whim no," Orochimaru said, he then trailed of seemingly into thought.
"Can I ask something." Kakashi said.
"Of course." Orochimaru answered.
"Why did you kill him?" Kakashi asked.
"The same reason we all kill one another." Orochimaru answered.
"What is that?" Kakashi asked.
"In my opinion, what I did was a murder, not a crime. It should have been considered no more evil than a normal kill." Orochimaru said avoiding the question again.
"How did he wrong you, what belief of yours did he stand in the way off." Kakashi asked.
"He didn't stand in the way of anything." Orochimaru said some what snappishly, "he never stood in the way of anything."
"He let you down." Kakashi said, deciding if no answer was given he would have to assume.
"I let him down before he let me down. But that is human nature, when we need each other the most, we will let one another down." Orochimaru said.
"So he did let you down then. Which ever way you turn it, he let you down in a way bad enough for you to want to kill him." Kakashi said, "You're answer isn't very strong."
"That is because it is not my answer, it is your interpretation of it." Orochimaru said casting somewhat desolate eyes at Kakashi, "no matter how many times I tell you my story, say I chose to that is, you would never understand it."
"I'm willing to try." Kakashi said meeting his eyes, Orochimaru looked away. It had been a long time since he had been the first one to look away. The first time he had backed down from something as simple as a stare down. But he did, he found himself unable to look at the taller male beside him.
"I know you would." Orochimaru said, he left it there.
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"Aren't you hot, take your shirt off." Kisame said looking at the Sannin who sat comfortably in the heat with the beige jersey.
"No thanks." Orochimaru said throwing his hair to one shoulder and absorbing the heat like a sun bathing snake. Kisame rolled his eyes.
"You are going to make me hot looking at you." Kisame said.
"That isn't my problem, I'm rather happy." Orochimaru said with a small smile.
"I swear I'll take it off for you." Kisame said, somewhat playfully, somewhat seriously.
"You'll have to get through my guard first." Orochimaru said, moving back slightly to sit beside Kakashi. Kakashi knew he should stay his usual self, knew he should be respectful. Things had changed since he met the snake however.
"What if your guard thinks you should take it off?" Kakashi asked.
"I'll have to fire him," Orochimaru said with a playful glare, "dare he defy me?"
"I think he dares." Kakashi said trying to grab hold of the jersey.
"bastard!" Orochimaru said, he seemed rather annoyed but also entertained. He half laughed half yelled the next few words of protests, "Leave me!"
After a small game of tussle, the two larger males found the Sannin was rather good at evading them. He darted around the garden as they tried to get him, even out numbering him he was quick on his feet. Nearby NW's watched on in amusement, giggling at the scene. They must have looked like some sort of animal chasing each other with out motive, and to the 'superior being' they must have appeared to be playful creatures. The NW's watched them like they were dogs playing in the field. Orochimaru ended up climbing a small tree, which simply would have snapped if the larger two pursued him. He sat perched comfortably on a lower thicker branch.
"I win." He said.
"I have an idea." Kakashi said, he wasn't one for evil plans. Clearly having hung around the Akatsuki for long enough he picked a few up however. He got hold of a small box he had forgotten about and checked to see if its resident was still there. The small cricket like creature blinked at him.
"No don't!" Orochimaru said seeing what the copy ninja was doing.
"Better come down, your friend might want to visit you up there." Kakashi chuckled. Orochimaru glared at him.
"Watch him jump the other way." Orochimaru said.
"We'll just have to see." Kakashi laughed. He opened the lid and the Sannin held onto the tree beside him, getting ready to leap away dare he need to. Kakashi didn't expect it to work out so perfectly, but he was more than happy to see his master piece unfold. As if the little insect was in on the game, he hopped straight to the Sannin, not only to him, but on him.
"Kakashi get it off!" Orochimaru said in a some what feminine squeak. He ended up loosing the little game simply because he hastily took his jersey off as the insect made short work of making its new perch there. Orochimaru tossed his jersey to the floor of the tree, only to realise he had completely thrown his balance. Having no chakara to catch himself, he slipped soon after his jersey. Kakashi jumped to his aid and caught him before he fell to the floor. Orochimaru dusted himself off, now only wearing a thing tank top vest. He looked up at Kakashi, trying his hardest to act as if he was angry. It wasn't working and all he gained was a small chuckle from his saviour.
"That's one way to get your girlfriends clothes off." Kisame laughed, finding the scene hilarious. Orochimaru shot him a look of warning.
"Girlfriend? Let me down." The snake said. Kakashi placed him down and then looked at the Sannin, now able to admire him more. His slim figure was captivating as he brushed his hair upwards almost as if he were going to tie it into a high pony, before simply letting it drop back down. Swishing behind him gracefully once more.
"You're practically the girl." Kisame said with a smirk.
"Hate to point out the major flaw in your statement Kisame but we are neither dating nor am I a girl." Orochimaru said, he then followed the other two ninja's gaze and turned around to see Yiara approaching. Deidara bounced by his side until he saw the group, he bolted ahead of Yiara to their side.
"Yiara has a request for you." Deidara said quickly. Kakashi couldn't help but feel an uncontrolled rage run through him. He looked up at Yiara as the man made his way over. Predatory eyes following his every step. Yiara stopped short after he reached the pale Sannin and looked him straight in the eyes. One false move Kakashi thought, it would be his last.
For those who still read the story, please leave a review and comment on what you think, are feeling or simply want to voice! Its always nice hearing others opinions! Thanks for reading hope you enjoyed! Once again a huge thanks to Vampiredoll666!