Author's note: Wasn't planning on writing another chapter so soon but here it is! Also I'm almost to 20k! Maybe I'll attract a new crop of readers!

I spent the rest of my lesson with Sasuke attempting to make awkward small talk. After the intense conversation we had earlier, I wasn't willing to push any harder than I needed to and he wasn't willing to talk much to me either. Neither of us were in much of a talking mood.

I made my way back to the apartment deep in thought about the current timeframe I was in. It was definitely early Shippuden, possibly before the Suna situation. Hopefully before the Suna situation. I really don't want to deal with Team 7 invading the base any time soon. I knew Kabuto would tell me jack squat.

I could allude to what I knew about current events but that may get me in trouble, shattering the façade Kabuto and I had set up between each other. I had worked long and hard on my charm offensive and if I broke it now I may end up in a less than pleasing situation.

I couldn't trust Kabuto with what I knew. Not while he was still Orochimaru's subordinate. I would have to wait until Orochimaru dies, which could be months from now.

Ugh ugh ugh. This is going to be difficult. I would need to find a way to distract myself from all of this or I'll totally give something away.

I turn on the tv and flip through the channels. There was only one channel in English, playing a horrible horrible period soap opera about a mage and a Templar in love. Apparently in the old days on the Western continent, much like the Catholic Church in my reality, religion ruled all and those who had a lot of magic were sent to towers so they could be watched. The acting was atrocious and I almost turned it off but there was nothing else to watch so I kept the channel on, in an attempt to learn some of the Western continent culture. I didn't. The show was basically what would happen if the CW made a teen period drama about magic people and hired the dullest, pettiest writers imaginable. The next show wasn't any better, as it was a procedural cop show that wasn't interesting at all, though the acting was better. The writing was not. One liners and catch phrases galore, with car chases for extra snooze.

Seems like the Western continent is very VERY similar to America in the late 80s to early 90s, only with wands instead of guns. Finally after the CSI ripoff, I had had enough. I turned off the TV and started flipping through Kabuto's VCR collection. There, I found...the first two seasons of the X-Files. Not a rip off. The X-Files created by Chris Carter, starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. Finally some quality entertainment. I happily pop the first tape in the VCR and turn off all the lights. So Kabuto's a fan, huh?

It was close to midnight when the door opens and Kabuto slinks in wearing his super secret spy meeting cloak. I pause the tv and turn on the lamp and greet my fake boyfriend/roommate with a small wave.

"I didn't think you'd be up this late." comments Kabuto.

"Oh, I'm a night owl. Also there's no sleeping when the truth is out there just WAITING to be discovered."

Kabuto looks at the paused tv and laughs. "Ah, I see." He joins me on the couch. "Do you mind restarting the episode? I think I have it in me for at least one."

I chuckle."It's too bad you only have seasons one and two. My favorite episodes aren't until later seasons. Though season 2 does have that freaky cannibal tribe in Arkansas, though it's probably not called Arkansas in this version is it?"

Kabuto looks at me curiously. "There are...more than two seasons? The third season is airing currently."

I laugh and lay my head on Kabuto's shoulder. I guess that means that I'm in some alternate universe where the year is currently 1995 or some equivalent.

More importantly, Kabuto is currently wearing the cloak that he was wearing while conducting the secret meetings with Sasori under the guise of being his sleeper agent. I really wanted to ask him, but I think I'll wait til TV time is over.

After the episode, Kabuto and I head to the bathroom to clean up before bed. He strips immediately and steps into the shower, turning on the water.

"You can join me, if you wish." he says.

I shake my head. "Maybe later. I'm a little drained from dealing with Sasuke." I turn on the sink and start washing my face.

"Oh, how'd that go, by the way?"

I groan. "On the plus side, he's very close to sounding like a native. On the downside...I may have pissed him off."

"Ahhh, Sasuke-kun is so easily provoked. I'm guessing you asked about his brother?"

"Sort of. How about your day? How'd your super secret spy meeting with Sasori go?"

Shit. I said that out loud.

"...Excuse me? What did you say, Marie-chan?" Kabuto's voice is overly polite and dangerous.

"Oh um. I just asked you how your super secret spy meeting went? That cloak you were wearing was made for shady deals."

The water turns off and Kabuto steps out, shampoo still in his hair.

"Oh no no no, Marie-chan. I heard a name."

He's smiling, but it's a cruel smile devoid of warmth.

"D-did you? Surely not. I mean I've been cooped up in here for so long and you must be reaaaally tired so you might have imagined it."

"Tsk tsk tsk, Marie-chan. I know what I heard." Kabuto leans closer to me, still smiling dangerously.

I hadn't seen this side of him since the first day we met. I mean I knew this was what he was like most of the time...like always, I just repressed it.

I squeeze my eyes shut. "Sasori. I said Sasori."

"That's Sasori-sama to you, my dear. And you are wrong. My next rendezvous with him is not for another week or so. This was merely a routine inspection of the other bases."

He leans in closer, kissing my lips gently before heading back into the shower.

I let out the breath I was holding, and started brushing my teeth at max speed before retreating to the bed.

Shit shit shit shit.

I was lured into a false sense of security and now Kabuto knows that I possibly know about Sasori and his meetings with Sasori.

Why am I so stupid? Now Kabuto is going to want to know specifics when he gets out. This man is a master of torture and god knows what he's going to do to me when he gets out of the bathroom.

I can't run. He'd catch me. I can't hide. This is his apartment. I'm trapped.

The door opens and Kabuto walks out in nothing but boxer shorts. His hair is slightly damp. I pull the covers over myself tighter as he takes his side of the bed.

"I'm not going to hurt you." he says softly.

"I-I don't believe you." I whisper weakly.

"No witty remark this time?" His time is still soft, but there's a hint of amusement.

I don't say anything, just curl into a ball of fear. Tears prick my eyes.

"I'm sorry if I scared you. It won't happen again."

My shoulders slump and I find my voice. "It was a genuine reaction. You don't need to apologize. I forgot who you were for a moment is all."

"Oh? Who am I, then?"

I emerge from the covers. Kabuto's face has lost its manic cruelty and has been replaced with false concern. He's controlling his creepier tendencies. I suppose I can speak my mind.

"You're a man that has taken on so many identities in his life, he's forgotten which one is his own. Right now, you're pretending to be Yakushi Kabuto, the kind and gentle boyfriend. Earlier you were Yakushi Kabuto, top subordinate of Orochimaru-sama, a cruel man with a love of torture and inflicting pain. Truth is, neither of those are you but both are a part of you, if that makes any sense."

If Kabuto is surprised, it doesn't show on his face. He keeps his expression neutral as he stands up to turn off all the lights.

"Goodnight, Marie."

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