Here it is guys. The end. I've had a lot of fun writing this, and I really didn't expect to end it like this. I doubt highly that there will be a sequel. At least, not until I'm done with my new fic, Silent Hill.
Anyway, no flames but I hope that you all enjoy!
The nightmares began to flood her when she woke up in Orochimaru's room.
"He's dead, Haru." His golden eyes glinted cruelly at her. He had his own face again, and not poor Maya's. "I killed both of your precious Uchiha brothers."
"No," she said quietly, and tried to squirm. Chakra seals. Chains with curses attached to them. She was trapped there. There was no way she could get out. "No!" Her voice got a little louder. Not Sasuke… not Itachi… no… no…
Her legs were free, but it didn't matter much anymore. She began to cry, moving her head to the side in a pathetic attempt to hide her tears from him. She bit her lip. There was no way he'd beat them both. Itachi was near-godlike in his full strength, and Sasuke had beat him once before. There was no way they were both dead…
"I'm sorry I poisoned you," he said quietly. "I hated to do that to you. But it was obvious that I wouldn't have made it if you were still fighting." His face was too close to hers. She found the hate in her heart building. Hate for this sad excuse for a man. The love was far from gone, but the hate would have taken his breath away if he could feel it. Everything about him was an abomination.
And their poor child would know no better if he was trapped in this place with her. Seems as though now she'd have to abandon them, too. Unless Naruto took them, which she knew he'd be more than happy to do. He wouldn't let anyone else suffer the way he'd had to.
"Let me go." Her voice was meant to be louder, but for some reason all she could do was whisper. Her husband was dead.. Sasuke was dead… and Itachi, too. They were dead because they'd been fighting for her.
They should have let Haku finish off Orochimaru. They'd been stupid, thinking that Haku didn't know what was best for her.
"I'm afraid I can't do that yet," he said quietly, and then loomed over her. "I promised you a punishment, I'm afraid, and I still intend to give it to you before I send you back to kill everyone in that pathetic little village of yours."
It was then that her clothes somehow disappeared without a trace. Or maybe he'd taken them off before she woke up. She really wasn't sure anymore. All she knew was that her own tears were blinding her as she silently mourned over the two men who'd died protecting her, which was more than Orochimaru had ever done. Sick bastard. Sick, twisted bastard.
The fangs in her skin burned. He was biting her jaw and shoulders, neck and chest. He was drawing blood. His fingers buried themselves deep inside, forcing her arousal. She used her legs to back away the best she could, but it was no use. He had more control. He had total control of her and he knew it.
His lips touched the shell of her ear. "I love you," he whispered slowly. "I killed them so we could be together. I killed them so they could get out of our way."
"You killed them because you're selfish," she whispered back, her eyes opening. She still couldn't see for the tears. "If you loved me you would have let me be happy."
"They had to die in order for you to be happy, Haru." He wasn't biting anymore, but licking, exploring her body. She knew she was wet and enjoying this, but still chose to flinch away. "I had to do it for us."
"No," she said. "No, not for us. They didn't have to die… Sasuke and Itachi…"
It was only half a second later that he decided to sit up and shove himself inside her suddenly. She yelped and backed away, feeling a sudden pain in her lower body. He'd hurt her just then. Holy shit, that had hurt.
He moaned loudly at her muscles aching around him. He hoped secretly that he'd made her bleed a little. "I had to kill them both." The gleam in his eyes was an angry one. "It was bad enough that you'd married one of them. But I saw the way you looked at Itachi." He moved a little inside her. He barely had room, but he'd manage. "I know you wanted him, and I couldn't have that."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Haru had actually had plans to hook him up with a decent Shinobi from Mist. "I didn't want Itachi like that."
"You're a bad liar," he hissed, coming close to her. God, she was in pain. Every time he moved just a little it was painful. He pulled out slightly and shoved back in, making her cry out. "Every man you've ever looked at like that, I see. And I'll kill them all. That way the only person you can think of that way is me."
More tears. He was off his rocker. For real this time.
"Stop," she cried. "Orochimaru, that hurts!"
He moved out again, and quickly back inside, biting his lips at how good she felt. "This is punishment, after all, Haru," he said to her. "Don't worry, I promise you'll get used to it soon enough."
No, his violations were new every day. He left new hickeys and bruises every day, made her bleed every day. He wouldn't kiss her, though. No, that seemed like it was forbidden.
The pain was too much for her. She wanted to die. And Haku was nowhere to be found when she got to sleep. The only thing she could dream about was Orochimaru inside her. How the pain began to become pleasurable before it was over. The way he forced himself down her throat when she tried to bite. The way something hot and sticky coated her body when he was done with her…
There were no windows here. Only a bed. He would bring her water, but no food. She wasn't hungry, though. She just wanted to get up and move around.
The only time she got to move around was when he was moving her into a new position.
She wasn't sure how much time passed when he finally unchained her, taking her hand and letting her sit up. She didn't move, though. It could have been a trap. There was no telling what he would do if she made one wrong move.
He looked sad, though. He looked very sad. "I'm sorry, Haru." He moved to embrace her, and his eyes darkened when he saw her flinch. "Please don't be afraid of me anymore. I won't do anything."
She was hesitant before she moved into his arms, though. She didn't feel any fear or sadness or even mourning for her husband. She felt blank. He usually only raped her and then left, maybe coming back for some water or to bathe her. And bathing her meant more sex, usually. She didn't understand where this was coming from.
He felt warm, his hands gently pulling her naked body into his lap. She didn't want to touch him with her hands, but she felt like she had to. It felt like the right thing to do.
"I've hurt you terribly," he said. "I'm going to let you go soon; I just want you one more time."
The way he touched her was unfamiliar to her, and she was so out of it that she didn't understand. For what felt like an eternity, he'd been forcing her into submission, causing her pain. And now he was trying to coax her, trying to be gentle. It wasn't like anything she'd ever felt before. At least… not from him.
Sasuke had been gentle a few times, but he always liked things a little rough around the edges. And she'd been fine with it. She just wasn't sure about this. His touch left goosebumps in their wake, and she found herself enjoying it more than she'd enjoyed anything in her life.
"I want you to say my name," he said quietly, lips moving to her skin. "Please, Haru, say my name."
"Why?"
She hadn't heard her own voice in awhile, minus the crying and yelling. She was almost surprised at what she sounded like.
Her blank eyes stared at him. When in his lap she was almost at eye level with him. He still looked so sad. Why did he look like that? "As my last wish, Haru, say my name. Let this one time be like it used to be. Before the battle with the Uchiha brothers."
Last wish? What the hell was the Sannin talking about? He was immortal. There was no one left who could kill him. Not now that Sasuke and Itachi were gone…
"What are you talking about?" She had to clear her throat for that one.
He shook his head, his hand gently touching her face. "You'll see later, Haru. Now do this for me, I'm begging you."
He kissed the woman then, and it sent an electric shock through her body. Everything was forgotten. Everything was okay again. She groaned and entangled her fingers in his hair, body moving to be closer to his in every way she could muster.
She wasn't sure how long it was before he was actually inside her. But it had taken a long time. They had explored every inch of each other, scratching here and kissing there, just to see what reaction they could get. It was more than she had ever done with Sasuke.
She was soaking the sheets. When Orochimaru had filled her to the hilt, she came on the spot, back arching and toes curling. The pain was gone. There was nothing but pleasure. Fireworks shot behind her eyelids.
"Say it," he said in her ear, unmoving. She was on top of him once more, bodies melded together on the bed. "I want you to say it."
She looked at him then. His eyes were still sad, and they hadn't changed the whole time. Why on earth did he look this way? How could he be sad when he was doing this with her?
"I love you, Orochimaru."
He wasn't sad anymore. Instead he smirked like he always did, running a hand through his hair before moving his hips up just slightly. Both of his hands went to her body.
"I love you, too, Haru. Forever. Even though I hate everything you've become."
"I hate everything you are, too."
She wasn't sure what they'd exchanged, but she didn't care. They made love then, real love. And it went on for the entire night. Or the entire day. She wasn't sure what time it was.
"I wonder when she's going to wake up."
The voice was in the distance, and she didn't care for it much. Or maybe Orochimaru was talking to himself.
"The poison takes a long time to get out of the system. It's just a good thing that he got her here when he did."
Poison? Orochimaru had poisoned her again? Gah, what a dick. She knew something hadn't felt right when he bit her on her curse mark before she went to sleep.
That didn't explain where she was, though. She opened one eye curiously.
It was brighter than she was used to, and she quickly closed he eye again. She had no idea where she was. That damn snake got some new lights. Great.
But that didn't explain how they knew she was poisoned.
"Speaking of which, is he coming back or what?" the first voice asked. "I know he went to check on the kids, but I mean really."
Kids? Her kids!? Yukiko, Setsuko, and Ichirou? They were alright? Was Orochimaru going to get them? How long had it been since she'd seen her kids?
"Wait-" she said quietly. "Wait for me, Orochi-"
"She's talking!" the second voice said excitedly. "Send for Itachi now!"
Itachi? Itachi was dead. Orochimaru had killed him. And had rubbed it in her face while he raped her. And Sasuke was gone, too…
Sasuke…
"Dattebayo!"
Where had that come from? That sounded a lot like the seventh Hokage of Konohagakure. Oh, god, had Orochimaru poisoned her and sent her here undercover without her knowing about it? She guessed it was a good strategy, but damn. Warning was good as far as Haru was concerned.
She tried opening her eyes again, and shielded her eyes quickly. Hm. She wasn't chained up anymore. That was a nice touch.
Tsunade was the first person she found. "You've been out for almost a week, Haru," she said sternly. "Good thing Itachi brought you home or you'd be in big trouble."
"What the fuck are you talking about?' Haru tried to sit up, and fell back from dizziness. "Where's Orochimaru, anyway? Why did he send me here?"
"Orochimaru?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "He's dead, Haru."
"Dead?" Haru's eyes widened then. Had she been dreaming for a week straight about this, then? Had she really only subconsciously become a zombie who knew nothing but Orochimaru's touch? "What do you mean he's dead?"
"After you passed out, Itachi brought you here to the village while Sasuke fought him off."
She felt a heartbeat in her ears. "Where is Sasuke?"
"Sasuke is searching Orochimaru's hideout, making sure that there's no way he can come back."
Haru sat up a little more slowly. Orochimaru was dead… he was really gone this time? What if he came back when Haru was almost forty?
"We burned the remains." Haru's eyes widened at her friend's statement. "There's no way he's coming back this time, we are double checking."
"What all have you found so far?" Haru asked in response.
"Nothing except what you've told us," Tsunade replied. "He'd planned on destroying the village after he got you on his side, just as you said. He had an army and an elite force of Shinobi behind him as well."
"Told you guys." God, she had cottonmouth. "Crazy bastard wanted to take over the world."
"Oh, so the new Otokage is awake," she heard a familiar voice say. When she looked toward the door and saw Itachi there, she could have cried. He came toward the bed and she almost ripped her IV out hugging him. "Hey, hey, you haven't had a bath in probably three days. Calm down."
She laughed then, and he slightly chuckled with her. "Where are my kids?" she asked after a moment.
"They're at the house with the nannies, waiting on you."
"Nannies?"
"Sasuke had to hire another one. Seems he's not champions at childcare like you and I."
They had to laugh again then. "So what happened after I was poisoned?"
Itachi sighed. "Well, I kept your body out of the way, even though you tried to freeze me once or twice. You even kicked at me when I sat you down to put my cloak around you to keep you warm." He smirked. "I'm not sure what you were dreaming about, but you didn't like it."
She looked down at her hands, opening her palms. The scar over her Konoha symbol was still strong, and there was now a faint scratch over her Mist tattoo. How had that gotten there?
She'd dreamed the whole thing. Orochimaru had actually died, and Sasuke and Itachi had lived. Somehow she should have felt better, but she really didn't. She wanted to crawl into a hole and cry for the rest of eternity.
"Sasuke and I brought you back together when it was over," he continued. "Well, I technically brought the both of you back. Sasuke could barely walk and then slept for sixteen hours."
"Well, I think I've beat his record." She faked her laugh then. Orochimaru was dead. And just last night he'd been making love to her. Just last night…
She looked at her arms then. The scars from her cutting were still there. There were no bite marks, though, and they'd been there last night. Was it really so vivid that she'd thought it was real?
"I'm sorry, Haru." Tsunade put a hand on the woman's shoulder. "Orochimaru left you with much responsibility, but you'll be fine."
"Responsibility?" she asked, looking up at the woman and raising an eyebrow. "If you mean our kid, you got that right. I can only imagine how much of a handful Yukiko will be when he gets about eight or nine…"
"No, didn't you hear me?" Itachi asked. Tsunade seemed shocked. He's talked more to Haru then he's talked to anyone else in a whole week. "You're the new Otokage. It was left in his will that you take his place."
"Wait, wait, excuse me!?"
Oh, she could get used to this.
All the riches of Otogakure, all to herself. Well, and to the kids.
The house was nice when it wasn't underground, to Haru's surprise. They were working on the remodeling now. She'd signed a peace treaty with Konoha before she'd left to go home for her formal ceremonies and such. The people of Oto were happy to have her, even though she had some things to worry about with the Shinobi there. They weren't living the proper ninja way. The way of Konoha. The right way, teaching kids to love each other and not to abuse power but use it to protect the people who matter the most. She just hoped her kids understood that as well.
Now she was in her favorite bathtub with the glass ceiling above, looking up at the stars. The kids were with Itachi on the other side of the house. Seemed he enjoyed them a lot.
She felt her lower stomach. She was four months along with more twins, and she swore up and down that this was the last time she was going to do such a thing. This child-bearing thing was too much for her.
But at least she got to do and say whatever she wanted while she was pregnant and blame it on hormones. She smiled at the thought, her giant bathtub steaming up the ceiling and bubbles spilling over.
She'd been the Otokage for almost a year, and it was hard to believe that Setsuko and Yukiko were going to be one this year as well. And she was going to have two more kids.
She did sometimes miss Konoha, though. But she could go visit whenever she had the time, and they were just as welcome. It was peaceful between the two countries now, and Konoha was helping with the economy. Everything was getting better for everyone.
There was a soft knock on the door. "Yeah?" she called, rinsing her hair. "Is it important?"
"I'd like to join you," the voice on the other side purred.
Haru blushed. "Come on in," she said, and watched as the door open.
The man before her undressed after closing the door, and caused more bubbles to spill out when he joined her in the larger bathtub she'd had installed. She'd always wanted a tub for two, and now she had it.
He pulled Haru into his lap. "How are you feeling today?"
She was still blushing, but she shrugged and hoped he wouldn't notice. "I feel fine," she replied. "How was the mission? Is Hinata's baby cute?"
He laughed. "Yes, even though he looks just like the dobe, he's getting bigger every day. And he's going to have that Byakugan, too."
"I could have told you that one."
Sasuke laughed and kissed her. "Where's Ichirou and the others?"
"Itachi has them on the other side of the house, about to put them to bed." It was his turn, anyway. They had three-day cycles on who put them to bed. At least they all slept through the night, though.
"Well, aren't we lucky? Even though you seem to be shy tonight." He moved a stray hair from her face, keeping his eyes on hers. "Your blush is getting darker every time I talk to you."
"Sorry," she mumbled in response. "I can't… I can't help it…"
He kissed her neck. "It's okay," he told her. "I like it when you're shy to me. Makes your face all the more beautiful with that blush."
She wasn't used to being this shy all the time. But the medication she was on to keep Haku at bay did that to her. She could still kick some major ass if she wanted to, but she did it without her twin brother. But it had changed a lot of things about her. She would blush like crazy when Sasuke flirted with her, or see her naked, or even kiss her. She was reminding herself of Hinata.
He turned her toward the full-view mirror across the room and smirked, looking at their reflection as he licked her jaw. "See?" he asked.
She pulled off him. "You're dirty," she joked. "You're not going to get any with that attitude."
"Please." He came forward and began to shower her with wet kisses, making her laugh.
"Seriously, let's go say goodnight to the kids," she told him, and went to pull the drain. "I feel like I never get to see them."
"You see them every night, every morning, and even in the afternoons. You do all your work from home so you can see them." He was holding onto her now, still kissing her while he replaced the stopper. "Stay with me for just a little while."
"Sasuke…"
"I'm serious. Itachi's got this." He smirked against her skin. "If you want me to be honest with you, I already knew he was putting them to bed because I asked him to. I wanted to spend some time with you."
She was so shocked that she didn't protest anymore.
She lay against his chest, in their large bed. They'd replaced the one Orochimaru had had in here. Hell, they'd replaced most of the furniture. It brought back too many memories for the both of them.
It was finally over. She still went to bed at night surprised. Orochimaru was gone and this was her house, her village. She'd taken up some of his research, and kept his research on immortality locked away. She learned new jutsu for both Sound ninja and herself. She had a picture of him in the library as well. Sasuke didn't like it, but he knew she meant well.
He'd been her teacher, her mentor. At one time, her lover. He was the father of one of her beautiful sons. Yukiko and Setsuko both resembled her a great deal, and they were both black-haired. The only difference between those two was the eyes. Yukiko's eyes were snakelike and gold, like his father. But they were much kinder, and not bloodthirsty or power hungry. Setsuko had brown eyes, but they looked black in the shadows.
Neither showed signs of Sharingan yet, and Ichirou had stopped using his almost completely. It was like he understood that he didn't need to use it all the time. And he was only two years old. Sasuke and Itachi agreed that they'd train him when he was old enough to handle the real Sharingan.
Sasuke's hand rested on her stomach, and he turned over toward her, letting her head fall onto his arm beneath her. She sighed. One thing hadn't changed, and that was Sasuke's habit of tossing and turning in his sleep.
"I love you," he whispered. He was asleep, for sure, because she could barely understand him. But she smiled anyway and kissed his collarbone.
"Love you too, Sasuke." She curled up closer to him.
The man she hated everything about was gone. But she still did love him. She didn't think she'd ever stop loving him now. Not after what they'd been through together. Even if he was dead.
He had been selfish. He was self-absorbed. Obsessive, maniacal and a sadist. He had been cruel and even rude at times. He kept her prisoner and had almost destroyed her sanity. And he was almost more powerful than her.
All of these things she had and still hated about Orcohimaru. So why had she (and still did on this very night while she lay with her husband) loved him? Why would she love someone she hated everything about?
She sighed again. It was over. It was time to move on and forget.
Even though something felt strange. Sometimes, when she was alone, she swore she could feel Orochimaru's chakra, even though he was for sure dead. And it wasn't Yukiko. No, it was closer. Sometimes it almost felt like he was inside of her, waiting patiently for something to happen.
She would usually shake it off, though. There was no way he could come back this time. They'd destroyed every part of his remains, even parts of his tissue that were in the lab. The only thing left was Yukiko, and he was too sweet to be the spawn of Satan.
Nope, Haru wasn't worried at all. She would just keep shaking off these weird feelings, and everything would be good to go. These were her last kids, and she should be excited about that. Five would be plenty. That would be four new Uchihas for Sasuke's rebuilding of the clan. And she was trying to convince Itachi to go on a date with a quite powerful Shinobi from Sound she knew. But he wasn't interested. Seemed some things never changed.
That feeling again. She sat up and looked about the room. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Orochimaru wasn't here.
He's dead, you idiot, she told herself. It's been too long. You need to stop this nonsense.
As if on a cue, she felt something in her stomach stir. She smied as she placed her hands on her preggo belly. They were moving.
She laid back down and yawned, shaking off the strange chill down her spine. She was just imagining that chakra signature.
A few minutes later she was snoring, and the only ones tbat could hear her were inside her. Growing. Growing beside one another, hands outstretched as if they were reaching for each other.
But one wasn't. He was just resting because she was resting. And to think she was ignoring his messages when he listened to her every whim.
He was only gone in body, but not in soul. Even though that wouldn't last too long either. All he'd done was wait. Wait for her next unborn child to be conceived. And then he took the opportunity to take the body for his own Now he could be a part of her in body and soul. And when he was strong enough again, he would reveal himself to her.
Goodnight, my Ha-ru.
There you go. It's finally over. And if you think a sequel is necessary, you should probably let me know and I'll consider. I'd like to, but that would be crazy! Awesome, but crazy. Anway, please R&R! For those of you keeping up with this story, I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have!