Sasuke was sitting in bed propped up by soft, silk pillows looking longingly out the large windows when Orochimaru entered the room, carrying a tray with a bowl and a few cups "Good morning Sasuke" he said, walking over and setting o the small table next to Sasuke's bed. "I brought you your medicine and some warm broth" Sasuke nodded but remained silent. "What's wrong?" Orochimaru asked gently placing his hand on Sasuke's forehead "Do you feel worse? Your fever has gone down a little but…" he trailed off. "No, I feel better" Sasuke replied "I just…" he stopped and began to cough, a dry cough that resonated in his chest. Orochimaru handed him a glass full of warm water "sip slowly" he advised while slowly rubbing Sasuke's back.
Obediently, Sasuke drank the water and then relaxed back into the comfort of the pillows, exhausted. "You want to go to the woods don't you?" Orochimaru asked. Sasuke nodded and closed his eyes "If you are able to rest better than you have for the past four days you might be fully recovered in two days or so" Orochimaru said. Sasuke nodded again "Are you hungry?" Orochimaru asked. Sasuke shook his head "You really need to eat more often Sasuke" Orochimaru chided picking up the tray "try to get some sleep" he said walking out of the room and leaving Sasuke alone to sleep.
*One Week Later*
Naruto stepped out of the forge and stretched. It had now been a week since the conversation on the hill and he was ready for another adventure. As he walked down the dirt road, wondering what to do, his mind turned to the wild strawberry patch in the woods. Carefully, he glanced around to make sure no one was watching then turned and ran towards the woods, chuckling to himself.
Kabuto leaned down and checked the saddle strap once more before Orochimaru helped Sasuke into the saddle. "Remember, you need to be back before supper time" Orochimaru said "And don't ride too hard" Sasuke nodded and then lightly snapped the reins. Obediently, his horse walked out of the gate and turned towards the woods.
Naruto popped another big juicy berry in his mouth and grinned. Being the village beggar had its downside, but the bright side was bigger. Or, that was the way he saw it. He never had to look after animals like Shikamaru or work next to a hot furnace all day like Kiba, or starve over bread he was supposed to sell like he imagined Sakura would. All he had to do was live in the present, enjoying the "nows" of life.
Suddenly he sat up. "I think I saw a stream nearby…I'm thirsty" he said to himself. He stood up and looked around. He could hear the stream but he couldn't see it. He smiled and the headed off in the direction of the sound, happy to be alive.
Sasuke was sitting on the bank on the crystal clear stream, surrounded by trees with his horse grazing just a few feet away, lost in his thoughts and a world far away when the sharp snap of a twig brought his head around.
Naruto was nearing the stream when through the trees he caught a glimpse of a figure sitting by the stream, a black horse grazing nearby. He caught his breath "Could it be?" he wondered. His heart pounding, he took a step forward. Yes, it was who he thought it was. Maybe they finally would get to meet.
He took another step forward into the thicket, freezing as the sharp snap of a twig caused the boy to spring up and jump to his horse's side. "W-wait!" Naruto called as the boy was about to swing up onto his horse "Don't go! I'm the person from the corner of the stable" he pleaded. The boy stopped in mid swing and slowly lowered back to the ground. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki. Who are you?"
Sasuke looked at the blond in front of him who was waiting expectantly for his name. His mind began to race. What should he do? If the boy knew anything about his family or curse…and found out who Sasuke was…he looked at the boy again. He looked so ignorant, so willing and longing to touch others… "Sasuke…" he said quietly. The boy cocked is head to one side as if to ask for the rest. "Uchiha…" Sasuke added hesitantly, watching the boy for any sign of recognition. But there was nothing. Instead, the boy just grinned. "Can we be friends?" he asked. Sasuke froze and he felt a chill go up his spine. "I…" he began "I…can't" the blonde's face fell "Why not?" Naruto asked "I…I just can't" Sasuke said quietly.
In a flash, Naruto received an idea "Is it because you're cursed?" he asked. Sasuke's heart stopped for several seconds. "H-how…" he started "There has been a rumor in the village saying whoever lives in the mansion is cursed" Naruto answered "Is it true?" Sasuke paused. What should he do? The blond had guessed it, but Orochimaru had warned him against telling others. But on the on the hand, this boy wanted to be friends. Sasuke nodded slowly "Yes, it's true" he murmured barely audible, his heart racing. "What kind of curse?" Naruto asked "I-it's a blood curse" Sasuke answered. "It's been in my…" his voice choked "…My family for a long time" Naruto nodded. Sasuke was about to say more when Orochimaru's warning echoed in his head. "The closer you get to anyone, the more dangerous it becomes for you. The harder it becomes for you to resist." He stopped "I-I can't say more" he said finally.
Naruto's face fell and he glanced at the ground. He had finally been able to meet the boy and see him for the first time clearly. He glanced at the boy again. He was tall, slim and pale, with very dark hair. "I have to go" Sasuke said suddenly swinging up onto his horse. "Can we meet again? I want to talk" Naruto said. Sasuke made no reply "How about in three days?" Naruto asked. "Right here?" Sasuke nodded slightly and spurred his horse on.
*The Next Evening*
"Hello?" Naruto called again "Is someone in there?" He was standing outside the tumble down hut in the very corner of the field that lay on the edge of the forest. "Hello?" he called again. "Hello?" a voice called from the inside of the hut "Who is out there?" "It's me, Naruto" Naruto called "Oh! The village beggar, yes come in!" the old voice said.
Naruto opened the door and stepped into the hut, nearly hitting his head on the shabby door frame. Chiyo, the village witch was sitting by the dying fire stirring a cup of something bubbly. "If you have some for some money you are out of luck boy. You and I are in the same situation" she said with a senile grin. "No way Granny!" Naruto exclaimed "We're not even close to the same situation. You're old!" "As if that will make a difference" Chiyo muttered to her brew with a chuckle "Then tell me what you want" she said loud enough for Naruto to hear.
"Can you tell me about the blood curse of the Uchiha have?" he blurted. Chiyo gave him a curious look. "Of course" she said "But, why is it you want to know. Their worst curse is that they are all dead" "Granny!" Naruto cried, exasperated. "Seriously, I need to know. It's very important" "All right. If you really mean it" Chiyo said "They have been cursed since their beginning. It's a terrible curse and the reason for their death" Naruto leaned forward, intently glued. "It is a blood curse. Possibly the worst one there is. The curse is, if they are caught outside during the full moon they will need to suck another's blood to survive. If they don't, they will die slowly. There are minor details such as on half moon nights they become groggy and are more susceptible to getting sick during those nights, but other than that, I don't know anymore" She stopped and took a sip of the brew in her cup. "Oh yes, they have somewhat shorter life spans if the curse is strong and only the men get it." "Is there a way to break the curse?" Naruto asked.
"Of course," Chiyo replied "How?" Naruto asked his voice hopeful. "I don't know" Chiyo replied "But, knowing all curses have a cure, there is surely a way to break even the strongest curse." "Thanks Granny" Naruto said standing up. Chiyo smiled that same senile grin on her face. "Don't look left before right when leaving this hut!" She called after Naruto "What?" he asked, perplexed. But Chiyo just smiled again and Naruto ran down the path to the forge.
*That Evening*
Sasuke was sitting in the library with a blanket spread over his legs and a long forgotten book in his lap when Orochimaru burst in through the double doors. "Sasuke!" He said sharply "I warned you not to tell anyone about your curse" Sasuke placed the forgotten book on the table beside him and looked away "I. . ." he stopped. He knew better than to argue with Orochimaru. "I'm sorry master Orochimaru" he murmured quietly, still not making eye contact. "Sasuke," Orochimaru said taking a step closer, his voice becoming gentle "I know you are lonely…but by becoming close to anyone, you become closer to them knowing who and what you are." Sasuke nodded "Yes Master Orochimaru" he answered, his head still refusing to lift. Silence stretched on in the room for several minutes until Orochimaru again began to speak "Sasuke…" he said "I feel a friend might be good for you at this time" he paused "since…time is…short" Sasuke finally looked up and slowly nodded. "I will be gone this evening, so Kabuto will bring your supper to your room" Orochimaru added as he left the library.
Sasuke stood slowly and walked over to the large window that overlooked the front lawn of the mansion and the village beyond. He leaned against the sill, one hand clutching his heart. There were days he could feel is time running out, as if the sand timer of his life had nearly run its course and only a few grains of sand remained. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out; the air was so stifling sometimes. He shivered suddenly, despite the warm temperatures Orochimaru liked to keep in each of the rooms he felt so cold; wrapping his arms around himself he cast his eyes away from the village and the children running in the streets, he felt so alone. Alone in a cold dark world where the full moon only taunted his tortured existence.