Warnings: A.U; Yaoi; Incest; ItaSasu; Shota; Non-Con.

If you don't like it, don't read.

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.

Unbeted.

~oOo~

If someone ever told Sasuke that one day he would willingly stay in Orochimaru's company to escape from Itachi, he would most likely stare at that person as if they had said the stupidest thing he ever heard, snort, and not even bother with a reply. But when an opportunity appears, depending on the current condition, they may be an utter temptation, like being lost in a forest during a storm and deciding to shelter in a cave even though aware there may be dangerous animals lurking in the shadows, like bears, or in this case, snakes. The choice seemed obvious. He believed he had done the right thing when got in the car. That is not to say he would let his guard down with the guy. And even if he had forgotten how bizarre he found Orochimaru, he was reminded as soon as he stepped into enemy's territory. Sasuke had a feeling that 'creepy' was an understatement when referring to him. The man had a fucking ophidarium in his house.

The living-room was dimly lit; the only source of light coming from the bulbs illuminating the cage that occupied a whole wall. The majestic purple snake with black rings along its body slithered in the other side of the glass returning with disdain the stares received. It had to be about four meter long and as thick as a wrestler's thigh. Sasuke approached the glass, taking a closer look on the peculiar sight, enthralled. His hand came to rest at the only barrier separating him from the animal.

"His name is Manda." Sasuke's eyes scanned the cage, checking if there were more snakes hiding. Orochimaru, noticing his curiosity, went on, "He's alone in there. He has the habit of killing the friends I bring to him."

Manda curled around a branch where one could have a clear view of him. Sasuke saw the oblong pupils in the green eyes that carried a never-ending glare. He knew that those eyes were usually a sign that a snake was poisonous. Not that it mattered. That thing could strangulate someone in a blink of an eye. Why in hell would Orochimaru have such a dangerous pet? What a freak bastard. It must have to do with Orochimaru looking like a snake himself, with slit pupils and all. Now he wondered if Orochimaru would go as far as splitting his tongue as one guy Sasuke had seen in the Akatsuki. He wouldn't put past him. What a fucking snake lover. Not that having a snake as a pet, or being fond of them was weird or creepy in itself, just unusual; Orochimaru was the one who took that matter to a whole new level. Plus, he just had to find the most different snake to use as a decorative item in his living-room. Sasuke had never seen that species before. It had to be in a list of endangered animals. How did that man even have permission to have one of those?

"It's a rare species." Sasuke heard Orochimaru's voice closer. "I wanted to possess this beautiful thing as soon as I laid eyes on it."

Sasuke opened his mouth and had to remind himself to keep his voice steady. "Are you not afraid that one day it may escape and go after you?"

"It's a risk I'm willing to take, although I'm certain it will not be able to accomplish that," the voice sounded even closer. Sasuke felt long hair brushing over his shoulder and was reminded of Itachi earlier that day. "Isn't it wonderful? No matter how much I care about it, how much time I spend tending to its well being, providing everything it needs, in the end, given the proper chance it will not hesitate to kill me."

Well, Sasuke was not an expert about that, but he had heard somewhere that was not usually the case. Some wild pets grew used to their owners. Yet, it was obvious that Manda didn't seem to enjoy being part of a private exposition. Sasuke felt a small tickle in his scalp as if his hair had been touched. Was that weirdo smelling his hair?

"How is that wonderful?" The corners of his mouth were slightly turned down.

"Despite being its whole life inside a cage, being treated like a pet, it's still a wild snake. It hasn't given up on its instincts," the smirk accompanied his words. Sasuke was glad this time he heard Orochimaru distancing himself. "However, if Manda were to reach its freedom it would meet its end within a short time, once it was a pet from the moment it left the egg—unless, of course, if it received proper preparation to be released." He turned on the lights.

Sasuke still faced the cage. He wished he would be able to see Orochimaru's face if that snake escaped. Certainly the man would not say that bullshit about the beauty of the instinct too busy trying to save his ass. That animal would take his life with no remorse if it had a chance. But Sasuke didn't judge it. By the way Orochimaru spoke, he probably spent a lot of time watching the poor animal slither around under his disgusting stare. He heard his footsteps again and almost jumped out of his skin when felt fingers closing around his forearm. He pulled his arm away, but was puzzled when glanced at his own hand and saw the stains of dried blood from a cut in his palm.

He didn't have time to delve further in his thoughts because the front door opened. Not long after, a couple entered the living-room.

"Welcome back," Orochimaru said to them. Then turned to Sasuke, "Sasuke-kun, this is my son, Kabuto, and his fiancé, Anko Mitarashi."

"Pleased to meet you," Kabuto said.

"Nice to meet you, Sasuke-kun," the woman smiled at him, and he found she was more genuine than Kabuto.

"Hi," the boy nodded.

At first sight, Sasuke thought they were brother and sister, judging by the slightly similar features and grey hair, although the woman had a darker shade, almost graffite, while the man was on the lighter side. Also at first sight, Sasuke decided he didn't trust Kabuto. He looked like a normal guy, but there was something about him that resembled Orochimaru. The odd stare Sasuke caught being exchanged between father and son just increased his doubts.

"It's a pity, Sasuke-kun, but Anko and Kabuto are tired from their travel and won't be able to make us company." Orochimaru said, and the couple smiled in apology. "Follow me, I'll take care of that wound in a minute."

Still uncertain, he went after Orochimaru. He glanced back at Anko and Kabuto. The man wouldn't try anything with those two at home, would he? Orochimaru took him through a corridor to a study in the ground floor. The room was filled with bookshelves containing all sorts of books related to science, a desk in the far end, a black leather couch in a corner. He told the boy to make himself comfortable and left. Sasuke eyes darted around the room listing all the statues, lamps, and any other hard objects among the fancy decoration he could use as a weapon in case Orochimaru tried something off limits. If he was wrong and Orochimaru turned out to be just a harmless weirdo... well, at least he would maintain his integrity without injuring the man.

Considering that Orochimaru had two bodyguards with him in the car, maybe he was paranoid enough to think he would be attacked at any moment, and yet Sasuke knew that hoping to find at least a stun gun in that room was wishful thinking. He sat on the couch and waited, clenching and unclenching the injured hand. The wound was just a shallow cut he received while struggling with the knife, and due to the rush of adrenalin he hadn't felt the pain. Even now it didn't hurt that much, but he was no masochist and soon stopped the opening and closing movements.

Noise outside the door made Sasuke try to concentrate in hearing what was being said. The voices were muffled but he grasped a 'We'll discuss it later.' followed by a voice that sounded like Kabuto's saying 'All right, Orochimaru-sama.'

Sama?

Orochimaru came back with a first aid kit and sat beside him on the couch. The boy slid away from him.

"Tell me, Sasuke-kun," Orochimaru began, taking the hand of the hesitant boy, "where did you get this injury?"

"In a fight."

"Oh, I see. You indeed have a short temper," said him cleaning the cut.

Sasuke glared. The man was referring to the party. How he wished to forget that.

"Were you going to see Naruto-kun when I found you?"

"Yes."

"I heard you were there on Wednesday."

Sasuke hummed; maybe he would take the hint and stop the small talk.

"I was supposed to be there on Wednesday too, but a problem arised in the last minute. But it seems we were bound to meet again sooner or later."

Sasuke said nothing, and his attempt to stop the unwanted conversation seemed to have worked because the next minutes were filled by complete silence. Yet, he was annoyed all the same, for Orochimaru was enjoying every bit of that process, taking longer than needed to finish, slowly rubbing his fingers against Sasuke skin. More than once the boy felt the urge to jerk his hand, and actually did it when Orochimaru tried to slid his thumb toward his wrist.

"You have lovely hands."

What the hell was that?

"What?" he asked uncomfortable with the scrutinizing stare now focused on his face.

"Your eyes... they intrigue me. You have the same eyes as your brother. And yet—"

"I don't think so."

"Oh, but they are." Orochimaru reached out to his face and smiled when Sasuke leaned away. " So different, and yet so similar."

"Don't compare me to him."

"I see. Brothers and rivals."

"There's no competition between us, if that's what you're thinking."

"And why not? It's healty for two young men in your position to be striving to show their value." Sasuke raised an eyebrow at him. "I thought that would be the case, given the peculiar treatment Fugaku gave you during the party."

Sasuke stood up, glaring at him. "I don't see how any of that is of your concern."

Orochimaru continued, as though he knew he had hit bullseye. "Not now, but It could be. I could help you surpass him. I could help you leave your brother's shadow. We just have to make a deal."

Sasuke was standing up with no idea of what to say.

"Huh... can I use the bathroom?" was all he could think of.

The blatant change of subject was not what he wished to receive as an answer, Sasuke was aware, but Orochimaru didn't insist.

The boy was led to the nearest bathroom, and when the door shut, Sasuke sighed, hoping the battery of his phone hadn't died yet.

~oOo~

"We're leaving," the orange-haired man said from the half-opened door of the small office.

"Okay. See you tomorrow, Pain."

Obito lifted the sake bottle from the desk pouring a drink for himself.

"Drink another one," he said to the man sitting on the other side of the desk.

Kakashi raised a hand refusing the offer. "I'm going to drive."

"As you wish," Obito said and downed everything with a single gulp. The liquid burned his throat, causing him to wince. "You know, next time you come here you should let me tattoo you."

Kakashi laughed. "I don't know why you still try to convince me."

"Perhaps one day you'll give up," he shrugged. "It's another way of expressing yourself without words, you know? Something to show your identity—even if you don't know who you are yet. Getting a tattoo is a moment of enlightment." He smiled mischievously and added, "Like the young couples that come here and are striken by a sudden realization: they don't love that person as they thought they did. Not enough to have their bodies marked with names, initials, or some other crap that reminds them of their relationship. The procedures of tattoo removal have killed all the fun, but there's still some good cases that make me laugh." He poured one more drink. "I defend that the drawing must be meaningful. As Deidara says: it's using the body as a work of art."

"You say so, but you don't have one."

"You know I prefer scarification." He saw Kakashi's face harden and said in a tired sigh, "And it seems that after all these years, you are more affected by that than I am. You can't stand a simple joke."

"I have a reason. You shouldn't just forget what happened."

"I haven't forgotten, Kakashi, and I would certainly not mind if Fugaku found the end he deserves, but I also don't mind recalling. It doesn't scare me."

Kakashi didn't comment. That subject was not one he wished to linger debating. The far away look that Obito now had made him eager to forget they were straying to sensitive topics; his friend might be a strong man, but perhaps for selfishness, the least thing Kakashi wanted was to see him suffer because of the past. The recollection of those times left a bitter taste in his mouth, reminding Kakashi he should have been there when Obito was at his worst.

"I haven't seen Deidara lately," Kakashi said to keep the uneasy feeling at bay.

"He quit." Obito leaned back on his chair, stretched his arms over his head, and yawned. "And right when I was thinking in sending him to the new parlor in Suna."

"What happened to him?"

"I don't know. And apparently the idiot took Sasori with him," he said with a displeased expression.

"The redhead?"

"Yes. But, Pain has taken care of this, and has found two other guys to replace them."

"That's good."

Obito played with a small fox statue he kept over his desk, "Something interesting happened today," he said, his tone far more amused, "I tattooed him."

"Who?"

"My cousin."

"Tell me you're referring to Itachi."

"Unfortunately, I'm not."

"Are you crazy? He's a minor!" Kakashi was perplexed. "And if Fugaku knows, he may do anything to get you get arrested!"

"There's no way of knowing it was me. The design was incredibly simple, nothing that could identify my style. Besides, it's in his shoulder. He can hide with any shirt, don't worry."

"Obito, he doesn't have anything to do with his father's mistakes. I don't agree that you use him to affect Fugaku."

"He was the one who came all the way here. He accepted the gift I offered when he could have very well refused. The only condition I had was that he shouldn't display it to anyone until he was old enough."

Kakashi ran a hand through his hair, eyes averting to the decorative masks hanging on the wall. He looked at his friend again, disapproval still on his features

"Don't give me that look. He can get rid of it if he so wishes, though... I don't think he does." The fox that was being thrown from one hand to another by Obito was put back on its place in the desk with a faint thud. "I told you. The removal process have killed all the fun."

~oOo~

Keeping Orochimaru distracted took Sasuke little less effort than he thought. When he came back from the bathroom he was more talkative, which wasn't that much, just pointless questions being thrown here and there to pass the time. Needless to say the change was enough to make Orochimaru suspicious. Later, what was not his surprise when heard from Kimimaro Itachi was there looking for Sasuke. The surprise was quickly replaced by understanding, and then, delight.

"That's unexpected to find you here," Itachi said to his brother as he entered the study being brought by Kimimaro, one of the bodyguards Sasuke had seen earlier.

"I could say the same about you, Itachi-kun. Came to join us?"

"No. I'm here to fetch my brother. Let's go, Sasuke." For once the boy obeyed without being told twice.

"How rude of you. At least have a drink with me."

"I have to refuse. And one more thing: stay away from him, Orochimaru."

~oOo~

"Where are you going?" Itachi asked when Sasuke didn't follow him. Those were the first words he said after leaving Orochimaru's house.

"I need to change my clothes."

Itachi eyed him for a moment longer, before warning, "Don't run this time."

Sasuke went to his bedroom and began to undress, still confused about Orochimaru's offer, clueless of how he would accomplish his part of the deal, and not even interested in what the man would want in return—although he had an idea. If he one day wished to surpass Itachi, it will be by his own means, not because someone else pulled the strings. And even so, surpass... in which sense? It just sounded so vague. Did he still want to impress his father and be praised like Itachi? Did he want to become a businessman like them? Did he want prestige? Money? Power? Power... he recalled the moment he fought against Itachi with the knife, how for a brief minute felt he had the upper hand. Now he cursed himself for giving up on karate when he was younger just because Itachi had given up too. He even used his techniques on Naruto when they first met sometime later, but he ended up forgetting most of what he learnt due to lack of practice. Sasuke looked down at his chest, arms, and legs; his body was not out of shape, but was not fit either, he thought his muscles could be bigger... he could be stronger. His brother still found the time to work out though, even if he didn't practice anymore, given how lean he was and how easily he was able to deliver a kick so hard that knocked the air out of Sasuke. He even thought he had broken a rib in the process. The boy touched the new purple spot in his torso, but stopped when heard the door open suddenly. Itachi leaned against the doorframe. The unspoken question of why was taking him so long hung in the air.

"I can't find my blue shirt," Sasuke said.

"It was taken to the laundry. Put on another one."

Sasuke opened a drawer from the dresser, fumbled with the clothes, and changed in a pair of black shorts, his back to his brother, all the while self-conscious of Itachi's stare on his body. With a couple of steps Itachi was right behind him. Sasuke turned around, heart beginning to race; he pushed his back against the dresser. The white t-shirt he intended to wear still in his hands as he held them up between himself and his brother.

"I can't believe you called me."

Sasuke pressed his lips into a thin line. "Don't flatter yourself."

"Did he touch you?"

"No."

When Itachi made the smallest movement of raising his hand, Sasuke tried to suppress the flinch of anticipation. Itachi slid a finger along the edge of the plastic wrap covering the drawing in black ink of three tomoe surrounded by a circle of seals on the boy's skin, observing the tattoo design for a moment.

"You already know Sasuke... even if you hadn't called me, I would find a way to bring you back to me." Their eyes locked. Sasuke grasped tighter on the t-shirt. "No matter what." He smiled and his gaze slid down to Sasuke's shoulder. "Don't let anyone else see that."