Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.
"The new dream container"
Many days have passed since that fated day, I have been lying in bed, the shadows and the constant sound of the IV drip are my only companions. Inside this everlasting darkness all my thoughts of being useless, only make myself more miserable. Kabuto-sensei came to check on me once in a while, sometimes Orochimaru-sama came too, but lately his visits were even scarcer. It seems that, I, the one who had been his chosen vessel, the dream container, was now only a burden to my lord, and that hurt me the most. I only wanted to useful again, but how?
I wanted to see him, very badly, so when the door opened quickly, even though I couldn't see who it was, my heart started beating faster. I was disappointed to find out it was Kabuto-sensei, he seemed to be in a hurry and very concentrated on something. I suspected it was Orochimaru-sama, the time for getting a new body was drawing near, and yet that Uchiha boy, the one who was chosen to take my place, had not arrived yet.
"After all, I wasn't called this time as well." I spoke to him without letting any weakness shown in my voice. "Kabuto-sensei, I am…"
"You must take care of your body." he answered curtly."Your work is already done. You are no longer part of the Sound Five."
I can still do something I thought as he continued what seemed to be typing, I suppose he was checking on Orochimaru-sama. As much as I detested Kabuto-sensei, he cares for Orochimaru-sama just as much as I do. I am quite sure he would be glad if I died though, since he must devote his time to the "me" who is now a burden, who keeps wasting Orochimaru-sama's precious time.
"I am still…" I tried to tell him again.
"Your successor has already been found." he interrupted. "He was given the Cursed Seal of Heaven, which is equally strong to your Earth Seal. He also possesses a Kekkei Genkai. Heheh… I wonder, which one of you is stronger?"
Bastard! He knew that Uchiha brat was something that would irk me; I tried to contain myself as best as I could yet, I wasn't able to. As I felt anger surge through my body, the sound of the machine that measured my heartbeats invaded the room. I almost went into a coughing fit but I decided to restrain it, I wouldn't show anymore weakness before him.
"What's wrong?" he asked mockingly. "You shouldn't overexert yourself."
"Kabuto-sensei… How much longer will I live?" I asked weakly.
"It's better if you don't speak." he said after a minute of silence.
"People are born for a reason." I started speaking to no one in particular, rather to comfort myself. "When one is born, there is always an important mission one must accomplish. Something one must do. The meaning of one's life… To be able to find that purpose was the reason we possess free will."
"I understand what you are trying to say, but it also a fact Orochimaru-sama is suffering." Kabuto-sensei answered without taking his face from the screen. "He is in the worst state he has ever been. But let me ask you, what can you do now? You have already lost your value as a container. The new vessel is already on its way, although he is taking his sweet time."
After that a long time of cold silence, I suddenly heard a male voice coming from the monitor Kabuto-sensei was watching. It seemed he was asking something of him. The sound of footsteps approaching followed next, those footsteps I knew perfectly; they were Orochimaru-sama's. A few minutes later I heard screams coming from the monitor, Orochimaru-sama had probably taken that pathetic man's body, instead of mine or Uchiha Sasuke's, that boy was indeed too late. What were the Sound Five doing? It was all their fault, Orochimaru-sama would be trapped in that body for a long time.
"Now Orochimaru-sama won't be able to transfer to another body for a few years." Kabuto-sensei said talking to himself. "However there is still next time."
"It is true that my body will no longer be of any use to him. And for me who lost it all, finding my purpose in life is hard. I have finally understood that." I said as I rose from my bed slowly, the sound of breaking wires behind me. "Even if it is not me, I will go look for that new container, even if I have to risk my life. This my way of thanking Orochimaru-sama, and the way satisfying my useless ego."
After that I left, but there was still someone I needed to see before going. I started walking towards the dungeon, the smell of blood prevailed on the air, as it there had just been a massacre but my steps didn't falter. It was necessary for me to see Jugo since this might be the last time for us to see each other and maybe say good-bye. I approached the door of his cell and opened it slightly.
"Hello, Jugo. It has been a long time." I greeted him.
"Kimimaro! What are you doing here?" he asked surprised.
"I came to see you; after all since I am going on a mission, I might not be able to come for a long time. Either way, does it bother you I came to see you?" I answered a little bit angry.
"No of course, it doesn't, it's good to see you are able to walk again, but I'm worried about your health. Do you think it was the cursed seal which caused all of this?" he told me a bit sadly.
"It is not so, I have already told you that the strength of my best friend would never harm me. But more importantly I have to get going, as I am already late for my mission." I answered calmly.
"Why are you being sent out?! You're sick! This has never happened before…" Jugo shouted desperately.
"Uchiha Sasuke." I whispered softly.
"Who?" Jugo asked a confused look on his face.
"The man who is taking my place as Orochimaru-sama's vessel…My mission is to bring him in." I said calmly.
"Is he worth going that far? Even risking your own life?" Jugo asked worriedly.
"If you take me out of the running as a container, then there is no one else, Jugo." I answered my face blank so as to not worry my friend; I had already taken this decision. "That man is like my reincarnation. I will risk my life to bring him here."
"I see… If it's something you must do, then I guess you won't be satisfied until you accomplish it." He muttered sadly.
"I am grateful to you, Jugo. Your power made me much stronger. Well Jugo… I'll be back again. I said as I started walking away.
"Kimimaro, don't go! I know you won't come back!! Without you, I won't be able to control myself! I don't want to lose my best friend!" Jugo shouted desperately.
"I am glad I was able to become your friend. Yes, this might truly be farewell but I think I was very fortunate in being able to meet you." I said smiling as I hadn't done for a long time.
"Same here. But make sure you come back!" Jugo shouted calmier.
Then, I walked away at last. Sorry, Jugo but I might not be able to grant your desire. We both know that serving Orochimaru-sama is my top priority, and even if I do not die on this mission, I do not think my body will last long enough to see you again, so saying good-bye this way is not bad at all. My last selfish desire is to serve is to serve my Orochimaru-sama with this useless body of mine, if I can help him get even a step closer to his dream I will be happy. But, if there is such a thing as reincarnation, I would like to meet you again and be your friend.
Author's note: It has certainly been a long time. I want to thank those who are still reading this, I almost felt like not finishing this fanfiction but I decided since I'm almost done with it, why not do so? Expect the next and maybe final chapter by Kimimaro's birthday. Thank in advance for your reviews, they really keep me going.