The Art of Being Used
DISCLAIMER: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended and no funds have been acquired for this work. This is an adult themed story and may contain some of the following: violence, swearing, and strong sexual, and/or adult situations.
SUMMARY: Kabuto Yakushi was comfortable being used. However, what's a spy to do when he finds himself longing to be more than a tool to Orochimaru: a master he knows he must betray?
Chapter 10: Repercussions
Kabuto stirred not wanting to move. He breathed deeply and ran his hand through his master's hair, the ebony strands falling like silk through his fingers.
Orochimaru was idly stroking the skin of Kabuto's arm with his finger.
"Finally awake?"
"Hai, Orochimaru-sama."
"Hm. You have work to do Kabuto. Meet me later tonight after you are done."
Orochimaru untangled their limbs and rose from the bed completely at ease with his nudity and entered the bathing room without another word.
Kabuto glanced down at his body and smiled. He slid over to the edge of the bed, wincing a little. While he thoroughly enjoyed last night, Orochimaru was well endowed and he was not the most gentle of lovers. He could heal easily but this particular pain he wanted to relish. Perhaps Orochimaru-sama was right and he really was a masochist.
He paused outside the bathroom, hands braced against the door frame, suddenly unsure. What was he supposed to do now? Confused Kabuto bit his lip and closed his eyes, resting his forehead lightly on the door.
Orochimaru was disturbed as he turned on the shower faucet. Kabuto was, well, inept for lack of a better word, but he sounded and tasted divine. The way he moaned and panted. The way Orochimaru's name flowed from his lips. How hot his skin was, the way just the right amount of pain spiked his pleasure, his enthusiasm, all of it combined to make for a very pleasurable morning. With a little practice, he would no doubt end up being the best lover Orochimaru ever had. Except waking up with Kabuto enclosed in his arms caused his chest ache again.
Orochimaru wasn't sure he liked the sensation. This was supposed to be nothing more than a chance to indulge his attraction to the medical ninja. Just sex. Emotions weren't supposed to come into play. Orochimaru was a selfish man. He knew that and had no problems with it. He came first and everyone else last. Why was Kabuto so different? Since when did he consider someone else's needs? What the hell had he been thinking, agreeing to those conditions and telling Kabuto that he would be sleeping with him from now on? He scrubbed harshly at his body trying to wash Kabuto's scent and touch from his mind.
Emotions were dangerous. The made you weak and vulnerable. They disabled you. Tsunade was proof of that. She had been a wreck after the death of her little brother and incoherent after Dan's death. Sarutobi-sensei had been inconsolable after the death of his wife. Jiraiya never recovered from having his marriage proposal rejected and still pined after Tsunade to this day. Orochimaru had seen the grief and sorrow etched into the faces of the villagers during those long years of warfare. He wanted no part of it. It had no place in his life and did nothing to further his ambitions.
This thing with Kabuto ended today. Sleeping with the medic had been a mistake. Continuing to sleep with him would be a disaster because, despite himself, he just couldn't separate sex from those annoying emotions Kabuto inspired. Not to mention the disturbing fact that Kabuto was still under Akatsuki's control.
Annoyed, Orochimaru wrapped a towel around his waist and yanked open the door, nearly running into the very man he was preoccupied with. Kabuto jerked his head back. He watched the younger man swallow once before offering an apologetic smile.
Orochimaru stared. Kabuto really was quite attractive. His eyes ran down the flawless skin. His regenerative abilities truly were remarkable. Despite being a nin for most of his life Kabuto didn't have a single scar on him. Orochimaru followed the dried trails of semen marking Kabuto's body and his blood heated. Perhaps just one more taste and then he would end it. Reaching out, his saner half demanding he stop at once, Orochimaru gently caressed the large purple bruises on Kabuto's neck. He remembered the salty taste of that supple skin and yanked the younger man to him, his instincts overriding conscious thought. He just needed another sample to make the ache go away and then everything would be back to normal, everything would be better.
He kissed Kabuto, slamming their lips together. He delved into the med nin's mouth, flicking his tongue along teeth and gums, licking into the younger man before pulling back. He turned, dragging Kabuto with him, and pushed his younger lover into the steamy shower abruptly.
He held Kabuto firmly by his waist and pressed his renewed erection against the younger man, rocking his hips. He tilted Kabuto's head, exposing his slender throat licking at the love bite he had made earlier.
Kabuto moaned and leaned back into the older man. Pleased, Orochimaru bit down lightly at the juncture between neck and shoulder before licking his way back to the nape of Kabuto's neck, letting his breath trail across the sensitive skin. Orochimaru used the water to wash the dried semen off Kabuto's chest and stomach before reaching between their bodies and fingering his lover, rinsing the passage. He slid his finger in slowly, the tight heat blanking any coherent thought.
Kabuto could vaguely feel hot water sluicing over him, a firm grip around his waist, the sound of his lover's breath, and the feel of a long finger slowly pushing in and out of his body. Yet, what captivated his senses was the smell. It was that sandalwood scent again, a unique scent that he associated with Orochimaru-sama alone, and he felt as if he were drowning in it. He opened heavy eyelids and noted a small clear container of fluid hanger from the shower bar. Must be the wash he used. Whatever it was Kabuto was going to make sure that Orochimaru never ran out of it.
His body tensed as another finger suddenly plunged in, stretching already sore muscles. He clenched his hands tightly against the pain, oddly turned on by it. He moved forward, prodded by pushes from Orochimaru until he leaned both arms against the shower wall as the Sannin played with his body. He ached, wanting more, needing to feel the incredible sensation of being full once more, and nearly cried out in relief as the blunt edge of Orochimaru's arousal pressed in. He leaned his head back, the aroma of sandalwood seeping into his skin, and the stinging sensation of Orochimaru's penetration overpowering him. He lost his ability to think rationally and acted on instinct. Kabuto thrust back, impaling himself. Pain seared up his spine but Orochimaru was fully sheathed inside and he felt deliciously full.
He didn't notice the bathroom door being flung open or the piercing shriek of a petulant child who thought he was an adult. What he did notice was the harsh way he was pushed away from that delicious pleasure/pain touch and that he suddenly felt very empty.
Dizzy, Kabuto turned around to question his master when the shower curtain was flung open and a heaving child with blood red eyes glared at them. He saw a flash of white that not even the Sharingan could dodge. The child's head snapped back with the force of impact and he fell to the floor of the steam-filled room.
"Get out Sasuke-kun, or I will kill you right here!"
Kabuto cheered heartily inside and gloated at the expression on the brat's face. It was about time the little worm learned his place in Sound.
"You won't kill me, you need my body!"
Orochimaru stepped from the shower and lifted the suddenly uneasy teen from the floor by the scruff of his shirt. He leaned into the boy. "I want your body Sasuke-kun, I do not need it. There is a big difference between the two. One you would do well to learn."
Kabuto watched as Orochimaru threw Sasuke out of the bathing chamber, the child slamming back into the far wall of the bedroom with a sick thud.
"Leave the scroll and get out."
Kabuto saw the hateful glare Sasuke sent their way as he threw a scroll contemptuously across the room and stalked out. He chuckled softly and opened his mouth to speak when he noticed Orochimaru's clenched hands and tense shoulders. The Sannin looked back at Kabuto, all traces of desire gone.
"Get out as well."
Kabuto nodded, flinching when the door slammed shut. His stomach curled up into tight knots and he washed himself quickly. He knew that look. Stepping out, he realized that he had no clothes and wrapped a very large towel around his body and hesitated at the door. He couldn't sense Orochimaru's chakra.
He opened the door very slowly and gingerly entered the main room. His breath whooshed out in a relieved sigh. Orochimaru-sama was gone which meant he had gone to take his anger out on some other poor nin. Kabuto secured the towel tighter and glanced around for the scroll the Sasuke-kun had thrown. It was gone as well.
He took one last glance around the room before heading back to his own room. He dressed slowly, fingering his glasses thoughtfully as he put them on. Things were different. He was now Orochimaru-sama's lover. Did it mean anything? Kabuto thought so, or at least he hoped so. He would have to play this very carefully. Finally becoming Orochimaru's lover only intensified his emotional pull towards his master and if he didn't maneuver carefully he would end up used and discarded.
Pushing his glasses up, he secured his hair back into its customary ponytail and went to face the new day. Making a quick detour past the various training grounds he was extremely pleased to hear the sound of Sasuke-kun screaming. So, Orochimaru-sama was taking his anger out on the boy. As it should be. He dearly wanted to watch the spectacle but not wanting to become a target for the Sannin's wrath as well he forced himself away. But that didn't stop the smirk that stretched across his face or the slight skip to his steps as he applied himself to his work.
For every decision made there are repercussions. Kabuto knew this and despite his new status as Orochimaru-sama's lover he knew all too well his master would not go easy on him. He stood in a dark lab. It was one of the few remaining ones that were still equipped. He didn't want to turn on the lights at this moment. For now, he wanted the solitude of the shadows as he pondered his situation.
He knew that a very important conversation would take place soon and of course his punishment. He just didn't know how the Sannin expected him to answer anything without losing control. When he did lose control, and Kabuto had no doubts he would, what would happen then? Would Orochimaru-sama have to severely injure him, perhaps even kill him?
Kabuto slid down the wall he had been leaning on. He wasn't sure how long he sat there. Minutes, hours? Did it really matter? Keeping his eyes shut he listened to the quiet foot falls echoing slightly as Orochimaru-sama entered the lab.
"Meditating in the dark Kabuto?"
"Hai, Orochimaru-sama."
The footsteps came closer and Kabuto stayed where he was. He felt strange. Part of him was aroused instantly and another part wanted to back away in fear. Orochimaru could be a demon when he wanted and the medical ninja was not looking forward to the next few minutes.
"How did Sasuke-kun's training go?"
"Spying, were you? Satisfactory."
The footsteps came closer and Kabuto could feel the Sannin's presence beside him. He stayed where he was and measured his breaths slowly. In, out. Steady and calm. In, out. He felt the sharp prick of a needle in his arm and still he remained motionless.
"Venom, poison, or drugs?"
"A special concoction, just for you Kabuto."
A sardonic smile flitted across his mouth. "All three then?"
"Did you finish your work today?"
"Hai, Orochimaru-sama."
"Very good. That pleases me. After all, like any good medicine, the injection I gave you will have some side effects and I want the rest of the lair packed up and gone by the end of this week. I cannot accomplish that if your work is unfinished. Tell me about your time with Sasori. How old were you when you first became his apprentice?"
Kabuto opened his eyes at that. The room was still dark. For some reason it comforted him. "You already know that."
"Refresh my memory."
"I was ten."
"So, he had you for two years before he handed you over to me, ne?"
"Hai, Orochimaru-sama."
"Do you remember the blood contract?"
Kabuto felt a wave of guilt crash over him. It was true, Orochimaru had given him a choice. Worded very carefully so that Kabuto would end up choosing the Sannin, but a choice nonetheless. "Hai, Orochimaru-sama."
"Then you recall that you choose to follow me of your own free will."
Kabuto laughed at that. "Follow you or stay in Konoha and face the wrath of Akatsuki on my own? Hai, I chose you."
The room was silent for a long time. "Is that really the only reason you chose to follow me? You are the only one I have ever done that for. You would have been relatively safe in the Leaf Village had you chosen to stay. More so if you told them about Akatsuki."
Kabuto sighed. "There were other reasons as well. I chose freely, Orochimaru-sama."
"Hm. If you had stayed you would have had the same problem that you do now because you are still bound to Akatsuki are you not?"
Kabuto tensed. "Hai"
"Bound by your clan?"
Kabuto nodded and then realized that it might be too dark for his master to see him. "Hai," he whispered and waited with abated breath for his blood to boil. Nothing happened. Kabuto held out an arm, looking at it. No tremors or shaking. His blood didn't heat and his mind stayed clear.
"What is your clan's name?"
"Yamamoto."
Kabuto continued staring at his arm in the dark not comprehending. He knew he had built up some resistance to the binding, but this! "How, how did you do it? I worked for months on those experiments and I never was able to achieve this! I spent years trying to even figure out where to start! How?"
"It is the injection I gave you; it is completely repressing your kekkei genkai. If I were to cut you right now, you would not heal like you normally do. The puncture from the needle itself is probably still there. I am older, Kabuto. I have slightly more experience in these matters. The effect is temporary. It will wear off in an hour."
Kabuto laughed hysterically, "All this time, all this time!"
Orochimaru kicked his medic in the ribs. "Get a hold of yourself!"
Kabuto's hysterical laughter ended with a grunt as he held his bruised ribs. He shook his head and pulled himself together.
"Better. You do not know much about your kekkei genkai and from what I have been able to deduce any time you attempt to experiment with those particular genes would activate the binding jutsu, net?"
"Hai. I tried a few times when I was younger in Konoha, after I met Sasori and parts of my memory came back. I went berserk and had to be restrained. I wasn't even deliberately looking for it specifically the first time. I just stumbled across it when I was studying my own blood. I assumed my ability to regenerate was a large part of it. I don't know what else I'm capable of. When the jutsu becomes active I am no longer in control of my own body. It's like I'm trapped inside my own mind, looking out."
"What do you know about the jutsu?"
"Not much. I know it's intertwined with my blood and DNA. It becomes active whenever I try to directly interfere with it. It becomes active when I'm questioned about certain subjects. I know I lose control at that point and kill anything near me, especially the ones asking questions. It's a safety measure I think. You're the first person who's asked me and lived."
"Did Sasori know this?"
"Hai, I believe so. He took me to visit my clan once, so I assume he knew about it."
"Hm. So any mention of living blood relatives, of your clan name or its purposes, or about your bloodline limit activates the jutsu and you have no control over it. How were you adopted then? Surely they asked about your parents and such?"
"I didn't remember much when I was taken to Konoha. Just my name and age really. There was no danger of any secrets spilling out at that point. I guess that's why it never showed up then. I didn't start remembering my early childhood until Sasori and even then it was only vague memories. It wasn't until he took me to meet some of my relatives that I learned anything concrete. I also know that I can be given commands and I have no choice but to obey them, whether I want to or not. They showed me that when we visited them. I still don't know much about them or how deeply involved they are with Akatsuki."
"So you were placed into Akatsuki's care as a sleeper agent for your clan then?"
No, I don't think so," Kabuto said slowly. "I'm fairly certain there's no double crossing going on from my clan's end. Like I said, I'm not sure just how deeply involved they are with Akatsuki, but they love death and war. As long as Akatsuki promises that, they'll follow them blindly."
"Blood thirsty then. Like Kimimaro's clan?"
"Hai, but much worse. The Yamamoto clan, they love death. Infatuated with it. Doesn't matter how that death comes about. Disease, famine, war, even dying of natural causes. It's a religion to them. They follow the teachings of Jashin. Not killing is a sin of the highest order. They make you and Akatsuki look like bunnies in comparison. If they could, they would kill nearly everyone in this world and only allow some to live so they could still have sacrifices for the altars."
"Do they bind all their children under this jutsu?"
"I don't know. I was only six when I left them and I've only met them once since then with Sasori."
"Is it possible you met Sasori when you were still with your clan before the Battle at Kikyo Pass?"
"It's possible. In fact, I probably did. It seemed like he knew about me and my abilities even before I began training with him."
"But the jutsu does not activate when you are questioned about Akatsuki though. Interesting. I remember hearing about Kikyo Pass. Everyone was dead except for you. You were the only survivor. When the jutsu activates you have full access to your kekkei genkai. Your healing ability becomes incredible. I was not jesting when I said I cut off one of your arms. You regenerated the limb back in a matter of minutes. Your physical strength and chakra capacity doubled. But you also seemed to lose the ability to think, you became like a wild animal. I think you killed them all Kabuto," Orochimaru concluded.
"I couldn't have possibly killed them all! You survived."
"Yes, but I was expecting an attack from you and I did have you in chakra chains, although you managed to break them. I doubt anyone on that battlefield was anticipating a small child going on a killing rampage. They might not even have actually noticed you, seeing as how there was a battle going on at the time."
Kabuto closed his eyes again. Had he really done that? Orochimaru-sama thought so. But, he couldn't remember.
"When you were under the affects of the venom you said you remembered both the good and bad times in your life. You remember your twin?"
"Kasa," Kabuto whispered.
"Then you should be able remember other events. The Battle at Kikyo Pass has to be one of them. Think, Kabuto!"
"I-I," Kabuto buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking. It was all fuzzy. The only images and snippets of memories that stayed firm were those of Kasa. "I can't. I'm sorry Orochimaru-sama."
The Sannin tapped his fingers against the wall. "I could go in and retrieve the memories myself but that would probably activate the jutsu. Perhaps even kill you. I know that is what I would have done. No, you are simply going to have to remember on your own. Perhaps I can give you a push. Another dose of venom?"
Kabuto jerked his head up "No!"
"Then you do remember what you saw while under its affects."
"No, Orochimaru-sama. Just blood and chanting. Please don't put me under that again."
"Afraid, Kabuto? Of your own memories? Fear is not a becoming emotion on you. Yes, another dose should do it, albeit a smaller one. I want you lucid enough to answer me while you are under this time."
Kabuto curled up into a ball and nodded wearily. There wasn't much he could do if the Sannin had already made his mind up. "Hai, Orochimaru-sama," he agreed quietly.
"We are running out of time. How did you get a sample of my original blood and why?"
"I manufactured the blood from cells taken from the mummified remains of your original hand. Since I can't experiment directly on it, I thought perhaps I could subvert the binding. I was trying to find a way to switch the blood binding so that I would be bound to you instead of the clan."
"I thought so."
"Sasori's jutsu is gone, but I am still under thrall. If my clan deems it necessary for me to become an operative of Akatsuki once they find out I'm no longer under Sasori's control they can force me and I will have no control over it. If Akatsuki asks them to have me kill you and I'm commanded to I will try to kill you and keep trying until one of us is dead."
"Hm. The affects of the injection are temporary. The blood binding is tied into your kekkei genkai and it was only by creating a concoction of chemicals and drugs to completely suppress it that allowed me to get past it. Complete suppression is dangerous to your health and over use of it will more than likely alert the one you are bound to. As it is, they can probably feel it when the jutsu activates, which means they will have felt the last two times you have lost control. I do not want to raise any suspicions, so when I inject you with the venom again you have to remember what you see this time, because I am only going to suppress your kekkei genkai like this sparingly. Do you understand Kabuto?"
"Hai, Orochimaru-sama."
"I hope so," the man hissed. "Because unless you remember and we can find a way to control your binding you are a threat, willing or not. I usually deal with threats to my life by killing my would be assassin first. If I have to kill you Kabuto, I will."
Kabuto's eyes widened. But, then, what had he expected? Orochimaru-sama valued his own life above everyone else. One night spent in his bed was not going to change that. Maybe if he was head over in heels in love with Kabuto he would put up with the risk, but even then Kabuto doubted it.
"One more question, Kabuto. If you had succeeded is binding yourself to me would you have told me about it, about the experiments, your bloodline limit, your clan?"
"Hai."
"Really?" The Sannin squatted down so that he was level with Kabuto, golden eyes piercing through the darkness, and gently cupped Kabuto's chin in his hand. "Do not lie to me. Would you have told me?"
Kabuto went still inside. He shut off all thoughts and emotions and used every bit of training he had received over his lifetime and lied. "Hai, Orochimaru-sama."
Orochimaru held his gaze for a few more minutes before letting his chin go and standing back up. He laughed shortly. "Very good Kabuto. I do not believe you for a second, but I cannot actually tell if you are lying to me. Well, it is what you were trained for. I suppose I should be pleased that you have surpassed my expectations. You will continue with the experiment and report all your findings to me. Turn on the lights and clean up the lab."
"Hai, Orochimaru-sama..."
"Wondering about your punishment? Fear not Kabuto, you will punished in due time. Unfortunately, you will need your healing abilities back if you want to live through it. You are safe until we move. Afterwards?" The Sannin shrugged. "It would spoil my fun if I told you."
Kabuto watched his master walk away until the darkness covered him. He heard the footsteps pause.
"Do not come near my room again."
Kabuto stayed in the darkness for a few more minutes. He slowly forced his body into motion, flooded the laboratory with light, and packed it up. He worked by rote, not even fully aware of what he was doing. and ended in his own room when he was done more by habit than conscious thought. He gazed at the spartan room dully, his vision obscured. Kabuto took a few more steps and fell onto the bed fully clothed.
His mind was blank. He held a hand in front of his face and could make it out if he held it close. But he couldn't feel it. Was this one of the side affects from the injection then? Or from Orochimaru-sama's last words? Did it really matter either way? It had been a silly dream, a foolish hope that he could ever be more to the Sannin than just a tool. Kabuto turned over onto his stomach and buried his head in his pillow. It was his own smell here. Clean and woodsy. He preferred it anyway. He never wanted to smell sandalwood and smoke again.
He fell into an uneasy sleep, wisps of forgotten things tugging at him, begging to be remembered. He ignored the cries. He didn't want to remember! He just wanted to be left alone! He tossed and turned soaking his clothes and sheets in sweat. An hour later, the full affect of the cocktail Orochimaru had given him took hold and Kabuto crawled to his bathroom. He spent the rest of the night there vomiting until nothing was left and then dry heaved.
Morning came all too soon. Kabuto rinsed his mouth out and pulled his soiled clothes from his body. He had a fever, a high one. Limping back to bed he ignored the fact that it was morning. He had already finished his work and packed up the lab yesterday. He was going to rest and if the Snake Sannin didn't like it he'd have to physically drag Kabuto from bed.
Moaning he fell back asleep, an old nightmare resurfacing. All he could hear were screams. All he could see was a field of red. All he could feel were broken bodies surrounding him. All he could smell was the stench of death. All he could taste was the metallic copper of blood.