Author's Notes: Due to some changes in the story, the character Aileana, which has only been put into mention a couple times, has been renamed to "Akari" who is owned by my friend SasusRedhead. She wishes to use her character instead. Akari has had her back story slight altered to accommodate this story
Chapter 10
Fate's Guiding Hand
For about a week since Sasuke was 'hospitalized', the days seemed to drag on. During which the teen had experienced the same dream whenever he slept. And each time, he was given more hints on the redhead in them, but it was still quite vague. By the end of it he would see that same snake as before, though more clearly.
He would awake to find his pain nearly non-existent, but it would always return not long after. Because of this he found himself wanting to sleep more, rather than suffer through the agony he felt.
However, on one particular night, he couldn't sleep. The dull throbbing in his ribs and limbs were driving him crazy, making it impossible. According to the medic, he was healing nicely. But he didn't trust Kabuto's word in the least. Due to his 'punishment', Kabuto refused to give him any painkillers, and Sasuke had too much pride to ask for any. He wasn't about to give them any more satisfaction. When he finally did fall asleep, it was late. From his exhaustion, he had slipped into a deeper sleep than usual.
Sent once more into the realm of dreams, he expected to see the young girl. However, that wasn't the case. Instead the fog cleared to reveal him standing in the center of a very large room. Before him on a huge pedestal sat the snake from before. Only now he could see him perfectly, down to the last detail.
He could have been around the size of Manda, maybe bigger, but their disposition was not the same. He looked elderly, and his scales were paled from age. It appeared as though he still had the ability to move. His two golden eyes looking directly at Sasuke.
"Sasssuke Uchiha... I've been waiting for you." The snake spoke. His voice hissed but was a bit raspy, as to be expected from that kind of creature that old.
"Who are you!?" Sasuke demanded, walking closer. At least in the dream world he could move freely like before. "How do you know who I am? What do you want from me!?" He knew this was the same one as before that would disappear at the end of his dream, until now.
"Patienccce..." The old snake took its time, raising his head a bit. He didn't seem to mind the Uchiha's boldness, or that his actions could be considered rude. He wasn't short tempered like some of the younger snakes. "Quick to get to the point I see... As I expected from a member of your clan... I am the Sage over all snakes. I watch over those of our kind, and the shinobi who should form a blood pact with usss..."
"You mean to tell me since the day Orochimaru allowed me to learn the summoning jutsu, you've been watching me?" Sasuke was quick to put it together, as he was gifted with the intellect that made him the top of his class.
"Even before… when you were but a young boy," The snake replied. "I knew you would one day come to usss, and when Orochimaru sought you out it became a reality… I am by no means a threat to you."
Seeming convinced by the creature's words. "So what do you want from me then?"
"It is not a matter of what I want, but rather a chance to offer you guidancce, and visions of the future... But in the end your fate is yours to write."
"Visions of the future?" Sasuke blinked, thinking to the red head he had seen several times. "The girl in my dreams, you planted her there. Why? What's so important about her?" His fists were clenched as he stood in front of the elder snake. He wanted answers.
"The visions are of what is to come... She is like you, a soul that has suffered through great lossss. She could very well be the key to your salvation... or your own destruction."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "I will not be defeated that easily! You speak of visions, and yet all I have to go on is your word," he snorted. "If you are telling the truth, and you have known me since I was a child, then you know my entire clan is dead because of one man and I will kill him!"
The snake listened a moment before he continued. "As of now there are two possible outcomes for you… One is still unclear, but in the other the Uchiha clan will ceassse to exist, in a way you weren't expecting. Is that the future you want?"
"I will have my vengeance and restore my clan," he said without hesitation. Not directly answering his question. His words however did. He did not want the Uchiha clan to become extinct. He wouldn't allow it. Though his own life meant little to him.
"As I thought your answer would be..." the snake replied simply. "The visions will stop when the time comes, thingss will then be set in motion... Your choices will decide the path you take... I urge you to be cautiousss. Do not allow yourself to be so blinded by hatred that you do not see the enemy approach you from behind. Or you're finished..."
"The enemy will never get the drop on me!" Unfortunately for Sasuke, he currently was too wrapped up in his revenge, he wasn't thinking about other potential enemies. However, this unpredicted future of his could possibly help him to see the error of his ways, and the redhead girl was the key.
The sage knew better, though the visions and warning was all that he could offer. He did not have the ability to interfere any further than that. "We shall see... For now I leave you to your sleep." The image of the snake became hazy again as the scene faded out. "Her name is Akari... remember it well." With that the sage was gone, his last words echoed and then silence.
"Akari? Wait!" Sasuke yelled as the snake disappeared. "You damn fool. Leave me with just a name." He had to admit the name was pretty. He had met a lot of girls in his life, but none had an interesting name like Akari.
As the dawn of a new day began, Orochimaru awoke with a bad feeling. The dream he had that night unsettled him. He wasn't one to fear nightmares, and he didn't usually get them. The dream was in fragments, and some of it didn't make sense. But it was enough to cause him to take notice.
Getting up with some urgency, he tried to work through the meaning of it. Going over everything that it could possibly be. Trying to conceal the fact that he was troubled. After a few hours he still had no answers. Getting an idea, he decided to speak with his medic. He found him just as he was leaving from checking in on Sasuke.
Could that be it? Was it Kabuto? Or perhaps there was something wrong with the boy that would become his future vessel that he was unaware of.
Kabuto closed the door to the Uchiha's room. He turned just in time to see Orochimaru approach him. "My Lord," he greeted. "Good morning."
The snake nin hummed, the usual smile on his face. To the untrained eye, no one would be the wiser. "So, how is his condition progressing?"
"Quite remarkably," the medic replied, adjusting his glasses. "I have been doing as you instructed and allowed him to suffer through it, but he seems to be healing without me. At first I thought he was faking it, you know putting on a brave face, but now... I'm not so sure." He was quite surprised the boy was actually asleep when he first entered the room. And when he woke, he seemed a bit refreshed and there was more of a shine to his eyes.
Listening to the young man's words, he didn't seem upset by it. It was one less thing off his mind. But that still didn't explain his bad feeling. "Hmmm... it would seem he has luck on his side... no matter," thinking it was no more than that. He would never have suspected the snake sage was actually helping him. "Just keep an eye on him."
Turning away, the two proceeded down the hall. "And what of Sarah's injuries?"
"I'm happy to report she has healed completely. I've used my best medical ninjutsu to speed her recovery." Kabuto looked to his Lord and gave a smile. "She's a stubborn one, but it's amazing how quickly she's beginning to adjust."
Orochimaru was pleased by what he was hearing. Kabuto was never one to disappoint. "Perhaps then we'll finally be able to put this whole 'unfortunate' incident behind us. I suggest you urge her to rest just for a day more; we wouldn't want her to overdo it... And how long would you say we have before Sasuke can walk again?" knowing it was only a matter of time, and the boy still couldn't be trusted after what happened. They would have to be cautious.
"He's very resilient," answered the young man. "I would say probably in a few days he'll be on his feet. In another week he should be fully healed. I don't expect him to try a stunt like that again. Not when he knows what the repercussions are."
"For his sake, I hope you're right." Reaching the lab, they went inside. Orochimaru remained standing, not planning to stay long. "Were you able to find out anything on the code you found relating to Sarah?"
During that week in between tending to his patients and chores, including installing the lighting in Sarah's room, he worked on decoding the message. They had a few books and scrolls of what they could gather on the Senju clan, but so far there was nothing. This task was proving to be a difficult one.
Kabuto shook his head, his ponytail moving along with him. "Unfortunately, nothing as of yet. Her father was very clever in coding the message, preventing easy access in case it fell into the wrong hands." He paused a moment. "I've tried a few different methods and so far no luck."
Seeming entertained at the thought of her father's skills, as well as the challenge, but they would need to know what he was trying to tell her eventually. "Well from what you've told me he was one of their elite. I can only imagine what his rank would have been if he originated from the Leaf. For now just keep at it."
Still, he was left with no answers about what his dream meant, and it plagued his thoughts. As time went on, his uneasy feeling grew.
Subconsciously, he glanced to the table behind Kabuto. On top of it, there appeared to be what looked like a severed hand that decayed some, but had been preserved. A ring dangled loosely from the pinky finger. The hand was originally his from a run in with Itachi long ago, when he too was a member of the Akatsuki. He had lost it in his first attempt to obtain the Sharingan, but since then found other means to replace it.
For several seconds his focus fell on the symbol on the piece of jewelry before Kabuto broke him from his thoughts.
"Is something troubling you my Lord?" Kabuto asked, catching a hint. "You seem a little distracted." He was a medical ninja after all, and that alone made him the type to be observant.
Noticing he had slipped up, Orochimaru was quick to bring his thoughts back to the present. Though he knew it would be more difficult to hide such a thing from Kabuto. He was, after all, one of his best ninja. "Just a strange feeling I'm been having all morning, I'm sure it's nothing." Still keeping it to himself that it was a dream.
"Well if you're sure." He paused a moment. "You know, you may want to see Sarah for yourself," he smirked again. "She does miss you, even though she will deny it. It's quite curious how she's in such a state of denial about everything."
Orochimaru chuckled, being reminded of the woman he had put so much time and effort into learning more about. Even going through the trouble of bringing her there and earning her trust. And for what reason, he still wasn't entirely sure. "As to be expected. She'll see reason soon enough." Turning for the door. "Let me know if there's anything else."
"Yes my lord." Kabuto replied.
Doing just as he suggested, Orochimaru left the room and continued on to where Sarah's bedroom was located.
Sarah had just exited the bathroom, dressed in a simple yukata that Kabuto had been able to retrieve. She was happy now that her room was so well lit, giving full visibility. Since the lights were installed, her room had undergone some major changes.
Her bed had remained in the center of the room facing the door. Those who entered the room could see a dresser in the far left hand corner facing the bed. A floor length mirror stood beside it, angled in a way that it hid the corner. Above her bed was a shelf with the plushie from her father on it. On the far right hand side of the room, there was a small round table with a chair so she wouldn't be bored with just an empty space. There was a door leading to the bathroom on that same wall. And in the corner between the two doors was a plant, which grew in the dark with special lighting. There was another shelf beside it, which now held her other belongings Kabuto had retrieved from her old home before it was destroyed.
There were three large lights attached to the ceiling. One was in the center extending over the bed, another over the dresser, and the third over the small table. The lights weren't too bright, but combined they lit the room enough so she could do things and not have to squint to see. The plant had a different kind of light, which had a very dim purple color, sending the room into a dull glow when she slept.
Her room was now better than any of the others, except for the one belonging to the snake nin himself. The others were often just used as a kind of dead end to deter intruders. It was their way of making her comfortable since they were going to 'keep' her. Unlike Sasuke, who could care less what his room looked like.
On the table was a book she had been reading. From being bed ridden, she had no desire to be in that bed anymore than she had to.
As always the Sannin came in without knocking, his chakra signature being her only warning that he was coming. Other than that, he never made a sound. "Up and about I see." Orochimaru greeted, voicing his observation. He could see what Kabuto had told him was the truth.
Just as she picked up the book, she felt his chakra approaching and didn't even have the chance to put it back down before he entered. She gave a snort. "Doors are there for a reason you know. What if I was..." she stopped and then groaned. "Never mind, I already know the answer."
It didn't matter if she was in the middle of bathing, he had already claimed full rights to her body. It was really annoying. She could never have a relationship with someone else. He was hers, and he wasn't going to share. The only thing she was grateful for, was he didn't treat her like he did his other 'guests' he would have in the lair. She could only imagine what their lives must be like.
Ignoring her comment, he no longer considered things like knocking since he left the Leaf village and assumed his role as Lord over his followers. "Kabuto tells me you've made a full recovery. You still shouldn't push it though. Wouldn't want you to re-injure yourself." he said as he made his way over to her.
"Yeah, I figured that already. Trust me, I don't want to have to endure the same treatment from this past week again." It was completely embarrassing for her to have someone help her bathe, and even use the bathroom.
He gave a slight hum under his breath. "I'm sure you don't. And fortunately, Sasuke won't be on his feet again for a little while longer." He knew that would give her some comfort. "Just so that you're aware, I will be leaving in a few days to run an 'errand', but I've instructed Kabuto to keep an eye on things while I'm gone." He had a task that was left unfinished due to Sarah's attack.
Putting the book down, she stood. "By chance does this have anything to do with why you were supposed to leave the first time, and couldn't because of me?" The look on her face was of genuine concern. Now that there was light, she could easily see his features and know when he was grinning or even leering at her.
"Perhaps... but you needn't concern yourself. It's nothing that couldn't wait." Seeing the look, he knew what she was thinking. "I shouldn't be gone for too long, and if needed I can return at any time."
Perhaps he was being overly cautious, but he knew a Uchiha could be unpredictable and deadly when given the opportunity. He could only hope Sasuke had learned his lesson the first time.
The look was there a moment before relief seemed to wash over her. "Oh good. I'll get rid of you for some time and I can actually be left in peace." Taking the book again, she worked to push herself past him to put it back on the shelf above the bed. "Is that all you wanted?" she asked.
"That, and to see how you were fairing..." still blocking her path. To try and get by him, she would have to come just close enough. Closer than most were able to get to the well known feared Sannin, and not many lived to tell about it. "I see the injury didn't dampen your spirits," he teased.
She nearly snarled for both him blocking her path and the comment. She didn't want to get too close to him in case he seduced her yet again. However, she was going to have to, and she knew he was aware of that. With another growl she 'closed' in on him to get by, but something stopped her.
From the corner of her eye, she saw something on his face that wasn't normal for him. Stopping, she looked at him straight in the face. Anger disappeared. "Something's wrong."
Surprised she noticed it too. He expected it from Kabuto, but not from Sarah. Then again they were both raised and trained as spies, to see through things better than most. "Nothing is wrong. What makes you say that?"
Her eyes narrowed. "That's bull shit and you know it!" she snapped. "Orochimaru, you may be able to pull that on Kabuto as he won't question your word, but you can't pull the wool over my eyes. I can see it in your eyes. Something is bothering you, and I know it's not me." If it was her, he would have been able to hide it better.
Knowing she could be persistent, he wouldn't be able to get out of this so easily. Though he didn't wish to worry her in case there really was no need for it. "Just a slight uneasy feeling I've had since this morning. I'm sure it's nothing. Could just very well be from lack of sleep is all," telling a half lie.
Looking at him, she could see there was more to it, but she could see he was being partially honest.
"I take it that you don't normally get these uneasy feelings?" she asked. "So the infamous snake ninja can actually get restless." She gave a smile. "Shows there's still some humanity in you after all." She found it a bit amusing, but at the same time with her own uneasy feelings, especially with that nightmare, she could relate.
He found it interesting how her face lit up while saying that, even if it was at his own expense. He still didn't like to be referred to as 'human' since his goal was to achieve immortality, but he didn't take offense to it. "Only on very rare occasions, but there's little that concern me," He said rather confidently.
Thinking about both the Sannin and Kabuto, and how loyal her friend was to him, she couldn't help but wonder what made him that way. Knowing he was distracted a little, she finally managed to get past him and put the book away. She then took a seat on the bed.
"May I ask you something? How did you and Kabuto meet?" she asked, curious to how long their relationship had lasted. When did Orochimaru first meet him? All she knew so far about the medic was that he was raised in the Hidden Leaf. "I know the stories of the two of you working together, but at one time he was a shinobi of the Leaf."
Seeing her peak in curiosity, he thought it harmless to tell her, though he knew Kabuto most likely would never tell her himself. "That he was," confirming what she already knew to be true. Moving to the bed, he took a seat and began his tale.
"I first met Kabuto during the Third Great Shinobi War, when he was but a young boy. He was an orphan working to raise money for the orphanage by means of his medical ninjustsu, on those that had been injured in battle. From what I later found out about him, he was actually discovered close to a village that had been destroyed in the fighting. He sustained a head injury causing him to develop amnesia. To this day, he still doesn't remember who he was or where he came from."
He paused a moment before continuing. "Back then, I still walked amongst the fools of the Hidden Leaf Village, that is until it was discovered I was conducting a few 'experiments' for the sake of developing my jutsu... Since then I had learned Kabuto became a spy to gather intel from other villages. But as you know, knowledge can be dangerous... and he was soon seen as a threat."
"The nun who raised him was in the same predicament, so in an attempt to dispose of them both, they brainwashed her and put them into a situation where they would attack each other. Kabuto managed to evade injury, but when he realized she didn't know who he was, he began to feel lost. That is when we met for the second time... I explained to Kabuto what they had done, and convinced him to join my cause. He has been loyal to me ever since."
Sarah was baffled by what he told her. Kabuto had been used. "Terrible." Her eyes were narrowed, showing her distaste. "I can't understand how villages would use children in that manner. Children are our future. They will be what continues the cycle of life. The ninja world would crumble without children." She shook her head. "He doesn't know who his mother or father were, or even if he had any siblings. So you're basically the one person who is like a father to him. It never crossed my mind he had a horrible childhood. Guess it explains how he was able to infiltrate my village so easily."
Surprised, not expecting her to refer to him as being a father figure for Kabuto, though with how the two were it stood to reason. She wasn't too far off.
What she was saying about the children, however, somewhat reminded him of his old sensei. "Now you're starting to sound like the old man." he commented, finding it a bit amusing. "Kabuto is the best at what he does. He could give Tsunade a run for her money when it comes to being a medical ninja."
That in fact had already been put to the test about three years ago. If Jiraiya, along with the nine tails brat, hadn't shown up when they did it was likely they could have taken her. He still couldn't believe that they lost that fight. They had underestimated them indeed. But there was no use in concerning themselves over it now. What's done is done.
"I've heard of the reputation of Lady Tsunade, also known as the Slug Queen and one of your former comrades, named a Sannin too. She has a great reputation for medical ninjutsu, but a bad reputation for gambling. It's a good thing her medical training outweighs her debts. She could have become a disgrace to the Senju clan."
That was completely true. Tsunade did have a gambling problem. Tsunade was known throughout the ninja world, and was the last known survivor of the Senju clan. "Hmhm indeed. Though as of late she has become their new Hokage. But it matters not. Nothing will stop me from achieving my ultimate goal." Sarah knew by now what his goal was. He switched bodies using younger vessels, and Sasuke would soon be part of it. His plans could also spell certain destruction for the Leaf.
Her eyes narrowed. "What's the point of being immortal if you have no one to share it with? You keep going down this path, everything and everyone around you will be dead." She then snorted as she stood up. "You have a funny way of showing it. You want immortality, and yet will take other people's lives to get what you want. What about all those people you killed? Don't you think they had dreams and goals to obtain? And yet you took them away just for your own selfish gain."
"They served their purpose." He answered simply, remaining seated for the time being. At this point Orochimaru was beyond reason. It was hard to believe such a man was once an innocent looking child.
The more they spoke, the more upset she was getting. "Oh, so once you're done with me, you'll just dispose of me like you did the others? I'm just your sex toy, is that it?"
There was no reasoning with him. She was his prisoner and that was that. Yes he saved her life, and for that she was grateful, but there was no explanation of why. Why was she so special?
About to say something more, their conversation was cut short when he noticed a messenger snake enter the room. "Another time perhaps..." Orochimaru stood, allowing the snake to slither up his arm and disappear under his sleeve. He looked back to Sarah once more and smirked." I could never get rid of you." The man said. Before she could respond, he was quick to steal a kiss and make his exit.
"Damn you!" Sarah yelled as she cursed when the door closed. Annoyed, she quickly grabbed the book and went back to the table to read.
Meanwhile, two teenagers were making their way through the Land of Rice Patties, to a rendezvous point where they would meet up with one of their superiors in a few days. Both of them were a special kind of shinobi, one male, one female. Though they looked to be no more than friends.
As they walked, the boy could be heard rambling on while the girl said little to nothing in response. "It's about time he wanted to meet with us. I wonder what has been keeping him." He said, glancing to his traveling partner.
The boy had medium length hair that went just past his chin, not even. His hair was white in color, but the shadows underneath almost looked blue. His bangs covered his forehead, bringing out his purple eyes. The shape of them, and even his teeth, resembled that of a shark. The girl beside him had long red hair, and was known as Akari.
"Maybe one of his experiments got loose again and he had to chase them down. I'd kill for that opportunity... Or maybe... I'm betting Sasuke is giving him a hard time again. What do you think?" Before she could answer he continued, not bothering to ask her if she was listening because he knew she was. He could hold an entire conversation, even if it was mostly one sided. Most of the time he was able to predict what the other would say.
"Yeah that's probably it." His arms were behind his head, looking up at the sky. "Though I have to admit, I'm gonna miss this. With you gone they probably won't let me out of that 'test tube' that much anymore..." He was really dreading that.
"Well, well. Look what we have here," came a voice as someone stepped out from behind a tree right in front of them. "You're one hard one to track down, but we've finally found you." His eyes staring hard at the girl, easy to tell he was talking about her. From behind the two, appeared another. Both were wearing black cloaks with a red cloud pattern.
The two teens looked up when the voice was heard. The boy glanced between the two.
The one before them had light blue skin that matched the darker shade of his hair, looking even more like a shark than the teen did. That much was evident from his toothy grin and what looked like gills under his eyes. The other had long black hair, the same color as a raven or crow. It was pulled back in a ponytail. His bangs were long, framing his face. Sharingan in both eyes.
"Oh great, I guess this is where the whole guard thing kicks in. This is not what I was expecting..." Noticing one of them was carrying a blade from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, he gave a smirk. "Although, this does get one thing out of the way..."
Going to draw his weapon, he told Akari to duck. The blade he unstrapped from his back was none other than the Executioner's blade belonging to the Demon of the Mist, Zabuza. The sword was bigger than him, and to even wield it, he had to do something that pumped up his arm into having large muscles.
The boy had been able to obtain the sword as a means for the girl's protection. How they were able to retrieve it from the Land of Waves, where Zabuza was buried, was anyone's guess. Though he was very skilled at taijutsu alone, enough to take out an entire army of men with conventional weapons, with the sword it made him almost deadly. And it had been a lifelong ambition of his to collect them all.
The whole time Akari said nothing, allowing him to defend her. Her emotionless expression still intact.
"Kisame Hoshigaki... and the sword Samehada… shark skin. Did you forget me? I'm Suigetsu Hozuki, the younger brother of Mangetsu."
Kisame, who was standing in front of the two, glanced to Suigetsu. Looking surprised a moment before he grinned again. "Ooooh, I didn't even recognize you. My you certainly have grown Suigetsu," he mocked.
"Hand over the girl and you may live to tell about it," the other said from behind, as cold as ever. His expression unreadable, and if one were to look into his eyes, they'd be trapped in a genjutsu. He was the older brother of Sasuke, Itachi Uchiha.
"Sorry, I can't do that. You understand." Moving suddenly, the boy known as Suigetsu dashed toward Kisame, who drew his sword just in time for their blades to collide.
Suigetsu gritted his teeth. 'Shit! This isn't going to work,' he thought. His sword was never meant for dueling, but for killing, as the name implied. And when protecting someone, it could prove to be an issue. Not to mention the Samehada could absorb chakra. However, in attacking his opponent, it left an opening for the girl to escape. "Akari run!"
Responding quickly, she slipped past the two in an attempt to flee.
Neither one had to say a word as Itachi suddenly chased after her. Kisame grinned. "You do realize Itachi is one of the best. He'll catch her in no time at all. I suppose that's what you get when your partner is a Uchiha." He kept a firm grip on his weapon, which was still wrapped up. Acting as though what he was doing wasn't even going to break a sweat.
Realizing if he was right, this didn't look good for him either. He could only imagine what they'd do to him if he lost Akari to the enemy.
Jumping back with his sword in hand. "Heh... You obviously don't know who we have to answer to." Remaining cocky, though deep down he was sweating. It would only be by sheer luck that 'he' would be out this way, and early at that.
Akari going as fast as her body could take her, which was still a considerable speed, though not fast enough. A look of focus on her features as she weaved between trees, trying to lose her pursuer. When suddenly he appeared right in front of her.
With a gasp, she was forced to stop. A sense of panic causing something black to lash out at him.
At the last second, Itachi had to jump back quite a distance, eyes widened. "So it's true," he breathed. This was going to complicate matters greatly. Now he had two things to worry about.
"Why delay what you know is to come?" he asked, pretending he wasn't caught off guard.
Akari panting a bit, peeked at him with one eye from behind her arms that were up defensively. "I will not allow myself to be captured again... I rather die before that happens." Her composure shook a bit. She didn't know well enough to avoid looking into his eyes. She had no knowledge of the Uchiha or the power they possessed. Going to defend herself, she made that fatal error.
"You will die anyway," Itachi answered. Once she made eye contact, he cast the jutsu. Within seconds she was trapped in a tsukuyomi.
Her eyes widened a moment before looking glazed over, like in a trance. No sound came out as she collapsed to the ground. Whatever that was that had lashed out at him vanished into thin air.
Taking a few steps toward her, thinking it was over. He then was alerted when a rather large snake attacked him.
Itachi jumped back, narrowly missing the bite. His brows furrowed. "Orochimaru," he called out, quiet but coldly. "I had a feeling you were nearby. This is, after all, your territory."
"Then you should have known better than to go wondering into the 'snake's den'," came a taunt as the Sannin appeared out of the trunk of a nearby tree, a smirk on his face.
The large brown snake wrapping its body around the fallen girl. He continued. "If you don't mind, I'll be taking this one with me..."
"You still have my brother under your thumb as well," Itachi commented. "We both know why you want him. He will likely kill you before going after me." Noticing that Orochimaru had both hands, unlike before. "I see taking a body allowed you usage of both hands again."
Orochimaru only found this amusing. Even with Sarah's dream, he thought the idea of Sasuke killing him was pure fantasy. Not once did he think it would actually come true. "You seem rather confident of that."
The large reptile bringing the now unconscious Akari to where the snake nin stood on a high branch, and out of harm's way.
"I have to hand it to the Akatsuki for learning so much, and so quickly too... but it means little." Taking the girl, she lay limp in his arms. "I'm afraid I'll have to cut our little conversation short for now. But just so you won't miss me..."
The large snake lunged at him again while the two disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Itachi was quick to dodge. He knew full well Orochimaru was going to attack as a distraction, giving them enough time to escape. Once he was at a safe distance, he gave a soft smile.
"At least she's safe for now," he said in a whisper.
"Itachi!" Kisame called suddenly as the man came from out of nowhere. "That Orochimaru is a clever one. Have to hand it to him for his way of commanding those snakes. He took Suigetsu with him."
The older Uchiha able to put his usual 'mask' back in place, as if his encounter with Orochimaru was no more than a routine battle. He wasn't surprised he had taken the water style user with him. He had a feeling the two were linked.
The snake too soon disappeared not long after its master. "We should report this back to Leader." Itachi turned, walking off. Kisame soon followed, thinking nothing more than his partner was a 'mysterious one'.
