Title: Spark of Flame

Author: Fenikkusu Ai

Rating: M

Fandom: Naruto

Pairing: Orochimaru/Sasuke

Words: 2,569

Genre: Angst/Drama

Summary:

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

And so, Sasuke resolved to himself just to simply exist to get through the dark days ahead; a far more logical course of action than needlessly spending his strength. It was simple enough to do. The days were getting shorter and the wind was getting colder. There wasn't much time to waste. It was time to get serious and dive wholeheartedly into what he had been brought here to do. There was no mistake that the world was getting harsher, but, in a way, life had been made simpler for the both. Now, all they had to accomplish was train and survive each other. How hard could that be?

As Sasuke soon discovered, it was as tedious as rolling a rock up a hill every morning only to have it roll back towards you.

When both were left panting and blood-streaked at the end of the day, Sasuke hoped that his training took out of Orochimaru just as much as what had been taken out of him. There was just one other opponent that he could hate with the same ferocity and sometimes the sneering face of Itachi replaced Orochimaru's malicious grin.

Late at night, Sasuke hid the wounds that he had sustained over the day's events. Silently, he could feel them mend themselves in the dark only to wait to be ripped anew another day. He said nothing neither to Orochimaru nor Kabuto nothing about his injuries, and the next day was like the one before bruises and all. Sasuke could feel them pulse and ache as he moved. There was nothing else to do except ground his teeth together and got used to them. Soon, he wouldn't receive a single mark on his skin. It would be Orochimaru's marble skin that would be ruined instead.

Consequently, Sasuke had time to reflect as his world became smaller and the hours become empty. He was a vessel filling with water. Sometimes, he wondered if Orochimaru had intentionally hollowed him so that he could fill him up again.

The following morning, Sasuke once again prepared to enter the courtyard as he had done so many times before when he was blinded by white. The snow stung his toes as he silently gazed up at the ice clinging to the roof. Overnight, there had been a literal blizzard. Soon, he realized that he wasn't alone. Sasuke could feel Orochimaru hovering at his side. Sasuke froze and his breath automatically became shallow. One never knew what to expect at the sight of a snake.

Wordlessly, Sasuke pointed to devastation caused by winter, and Orochimaru instantly ushered him back inside so that their training could resume indoors. No words would be exchanged until they faced each other in battle. Sasuke was fine with that.

In the end, Sasuke's life became more bearable when he stopped looking for answers and merely...existed. Not for Orochimaru, but for his own silent purpose. Finally, at long last, he began to regain his perspective. He couldn't be who he had been before; he had to recreate himself.

Until Sasuke could glimpse the future, he would have take what comes. For now, he needed to focus on getting strong, or he wouldn't be able to take on the challenges ahead.

Sasuke was relieved when Orochimaru did not call on him for company after his endless days of rigorous training until the day he inevitably did. It seemed that Orochimaru needed some excitement in his life.

Apparently, they were at the end of their neutrality. Orochimaru wanted to pursue him again, and Sasuke had no hiding places and nowhere to run. With resignation, Sasuke closed his eyes and waited to be found.

Sooner than Sasuke truly wanted, he was once again was seated across from the white snake. The young Uchiha was actually grateful for the table between them. It gave him a sense of protection that was more imagined than real. He was all too aware that at any time that he could leap across the table or drag him to the floor if he wished to.

Though he did his best to avoid eye contact, eventually, Orochimaru caught his gaze. He chuckled at his petulant reaction.

"Don't fight it. We are forming a bond, don't you see, Sasuke? A bond that will be eternal."

Orochimaru smirked as he sat back in the chair and tipped his cup. He drank his tea as if toasting the blessed event and Sasuke was more than inclined to spit the dark brew in Orochimaru's face. Still, he wisely held his tongue. He couldn't afford an act of rebellion right now at his current level of strength.

Sasuke remained frozen at the table; his limbs rigid as he continued to sit in an uncomfortable pose. Cold sweat trickled down his spine.

"The act of drinking tea is the height of of sophistication and comfort. Wouldn't you agree?"

Now, if only Orochimaru could be considered civilized. Sasuke's lips remained closed. He would not aid the conversation more than he had to.

"You know, the more the tea darkens, the more exciting and flavorful it becomes. Why don't you try it, Sasuke-kun? Its taste is at its peak."

Sasuke shuddered. He well knew what Orochimaru was alluding to, and he he was all the more reluctant to drink it given what happened last time.

Sasuke watched stoically as Orochimaru's tongue encircled the entire circumference of the cup only to lick it around the rim as a cat or rather a snake would. Sasuke began to feel sick, but he was aware that emotions were a weakness here.

The young avenger wondered how it would feel to be swallowed down the predator's his throat from his head to his toes. As the stomach acid dissolved his bones, would he he feel sadness regret? Anything at all?

If he met his end here, would he even leave any proof that he was alive?

Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi-sensei. Would they remember?

Across the table, he could see that Orochimaru was already making plans for him. Glorious plans so bright that all Sasuke could see was his shadow. Perhaps he would disappear with it. Orochimaru was squeezing him in his coils tighter and tigher until he was weak enough so that he could slide down his throat without a struggle. This was all just a prelude for the no doubt grand finale.

Then, Sasuke realized that it didn't matter in the end. It never did when Orochimaru was fucking with his head. No, it was best if he remained neutral and in control. Orochimaru couldn't fault him for that.

He knew that couldn't kill him yet. No, Sasuke had to wait for that opportune time in the future when he was ready. Hopefully by then, he would be much stronger prey.

There was a silent invitation in the snake's eyes...or was it all just an illusion? Sasuke cast his eyes down and concentrated on the heat of the cup burning his palm and fingers.

Sasuke reminded himself that he needed to have patience as the autumn leaves withered around him. The weather was cyclic and so too would he have to be. He watch the merciless frost kill the grass shear off the green of the trees. Nature had been stripped bare and clean to the bone.

It was in the dead of this winter when he was given his first mission since Konoha with nothing but memories in his head. Sasuke was only fourteen.

His goal at the moment was to meet Orochimaru so they could stalk their target together. It should have been easy. Finding one ninja.

As his feet flew over the snow drifts, Sasuke checked over his shoulder at random to make sure that he wasn't being followed. The trees blurred as he streaked past them as the wind rushed past his ears. All was quiet. His breath formed cloud puffs of misty cold; the only signal that life existed out here.

Sasuke wondered if anyone would be looking for him out here. The thought bombarded him with conflicted emotions and any false hope that remained would melt like frost under sunlight.

As his mind strayed, Sasuke barely registered the delicate crack and hardly had the chance to react when the ground suddenly fell away and swallowed him whole. The water splashed around him as he hurtled through the water. Somehow, the snow had perfectly hid all traces of the pond below him.

Sasuke immediately struggled and fought to break through to the surface just as more ice water entered mouth. He was coughing and sputtering when he drew the frigid air into his lungs.

He would not die not here. Not in this foolish manner. It was a promise to himself.

Eventually, Sasuke realized that he was in no danger of drowning. The pond was just small and so shallow, and it barely brushed his shoulders when he stood. It was just enough to appear foolish. It was possible to could get out again.

It was to late to conserve his energy or defend himself against the bitter cold; he had become exposed. As a result, the mission would suffer. Ironic that he would risk his very life to come here and beat the curse mark only to die of frostbite.

No. This was merely an obstacle. Nothing would stop him from taking revenge. Sasuke would survive. Broken and cold.

It was all Sasuke could do to splash and paddle to keep afloat. He was more than inclined to believe that hell was cold rather than hot. The ice had broken clean around him. Silently, he cursed his stupidity over and over. His first missions was already screwed up. If only he had been watching where he was going.

While he was figuring out how to regain his balance, he was unaware when a hand stealthily hooked inside his cloak as he realized that he was being dragged out. He had been saved. Sasuke allowed himself to breathe again

Sasuke looked behind him and wasn't particularly surprised to find Orochimaru standing there. He wasn't pleased with the universe's choice of savior, but at least, he had been rescued. Sasuke swore that he could track his scent.

"Come, Sasuke-kun," Orochimaru rasped. "Time is critical."

Sasuke's chest grew tighter; he was chilled to the bone. It seemed that Orochimaru wasn't taking a chance with his future vessel. Wearily, Sasuke allowed him to lead him across the snow as they had done so many times before before training. It had become routine, and he hated it.

Sasuke ambled with him a short distance to an outcropping of a cave; a cave that Orochimaru obviously knew of its existence before this day. Most likely yet another hideout for the Sound.

Once inside, Sasuke sank to the ground. He just wanted warmth. His teeth chattered together.

"Now, you need to get out of these clothes. I will not have you dying of frostbite, Sasuke." His tone was unusually stern.

It amused Sasuke how concerned Orochimaru was with the thought was losing him. Even for his selfish reasons.

Orochimaru had him pinned him to the spot with the mere force of his eyes. Unbeknownst to him, Sasuke didn't want to die either. At least there was that mutual accord between them. Sasuke was aware that his condition would recover but not nearly quickly enough. He had been humiliated in his serpentine sensei's eyes.

Sasuke shook against the rocky wall with hate lit in his eyes. He couldn't help but wonder if this torment had been orchestrated by Orochimaru himself. How else could he be naked and shivering before him now.

"Allow me."

Trembling, easing his clothing off by inches, Sasuke watched as Orochimaru shifted his attention away from him and fanned out his hand to blow his concentrated chakra-infused Breath of Fire jutsu in a well-used fire pit. Afterwards, his amber eyes fastened on him as the white snake moved towards him. The young Unchiha couldn't do anything helpful at the moment except watch Orochimaru close in. Not even to save himself.

The snake sannin revealed his fangs as he jeered at him. "The clothes, Sasuke," Orochimaru repeated.

Sasuke expected nothing different. It was just another day in his life.

It was all so useless.

Without any further delay, Sasuke finally stripped off the hood, the gloves, and traveling clothes. He was soaked to his skin, even his shorts. As he stood there, he wondered if Orochimaru would let him keep his dignity.

From above, the white snake smirked down at him. "You can remove everything, Sasuke. It's not like as if it's something that I haven't seen before."

It was Orochimaru's honesty that seared his soul while Sasuke felt low and humiliated. Cheap. Used.

The young Uchiha scarcely needed to remind himself that this actions did not stem from genuine affection; he just caring for his investment and nothing more. Sasuke didn't need affection from his mentor anyway.

"Come, Sasuke," Orochimaru urged him, "or I'll do it for you, and I won't be gentle.

Sasuke wondered if he could refuse him the pleasure. The same sort of pleasure that motivated of a child ripping off the wings of a butterfly.

After all, Orochimaru couldn't risk the loss of his vessel.

With a heavy sigh, Sasuke hunched down out of sight to forcefully remove the last shred of clothing.

Ever so slowly, Sasuke could feel his body temperature declining swiftly and the numbness was spreading along his limbs and settling into his muscles. His heart was slowing, and he realized that he was in slight danger. Sasuke had to bring life back into himself, and he couldn't do it alone. He needed a source of heat. Of life.

Foggily, Sasuke watched Orochimaru stripped his own cloak from his shoulders only to drape it around him as he glared. They would no doubt be on the same terms if the situation were reversed. They needed each other alive.

"You'll be just fine, Sasuke. I'm sure that you're happy to hear that," Orochimaru attempted to soothe him. "Just get warmth and rest until the others find us."

Underneath the sugared words, Sasuke could hear the mocking poison amusement beneath.

Orochimaru wouldn't be cheated, so Sasuke would be well taken care whether he liked it or not.

"Here. Lean against me. You'll be warmer this way, don't you think?"

Sasuke attempted to form a reply, but he failed, the words lost in translation and squeezed his eyes shut instead. All this for the price to get warm.

Orochimaru was playing that game again, and Sasuke was too weak to respond or fight. In fact, Sasuke was easing into a relaxing haze with the person he had been trying to avoid.

The temptation to go to sleep was too strong. Yet, he had to be alert, or Orochimaru would not be pleased.

Sasuke could feel Orochimaru's body pressing in around him. Already, he was being surrounded by the scales of the snake, and this time, he couldn't escape. It was eerily prophetic.

The youth grit his teeth. Sasuke didn't need his attention or his warmth. Just the fire. Yet, he didn't have the strength to push him away. Orochimaru had staked his claim. Sasuke was motionless when the other man began to stroke his wet hair.

The last sight Sasuke remembered seeing was the snow glittering down through the mouth of the cave.