Hello! I'll be honest, I did originally paired Shikaku and Yuu together but that was too easy. When I was writing this story, I liked the idea of Shikaku/Oc but as I was trying to develop the actual plot, I found myself realizing how dull it would be because it was just too easy. Love isn't easy, it's so hard to write romance if the love was perfect and there's also the fact that my character is a tsundere with issues.
Those little ongoing problems not only helps develop Yuu but also the other characters. Truthfully, I don't see Yoshino as a bitch as I made her out to be, but jealousy brings the ugly out of people. I do see her as a career chunin though, never striving to reach higher because she doesn't want to but a good person all around.
And finally, I like to clarify that this isn't an SI fic, I mean it doesn't really matter if you do think it but for me, it's not. Yes it's written in 1stPOV but that's purely because it wouldn't be the same with my character's severe mental problems. I wanted the readers to actually see it from Yuu's perspective rather than an outsiders because outsiders don't know the extent of just how bad a mental disease, trauma, or even complexes can get until it pushes the person to doing something dangerous or hurts them badly.
I don't have any of these things but this is what I imagine someone who does. Someone who's fighting for that sense of mind compared to the rest of the world that simply loses it over something so small. But I really do try to keep things light-hearted because this story isn't an angst or a hurt/comfort story. I don't need to add on to that depressing pile because my character isn't a depressed or a brooding type either. Just fucking crazy.
Anyways, thanks for your support!
August 31, 2017- Finished.
October 27, 2017- Edited.
-Line Break-
Their mission was to watch them, Torito Yuu and Orochimaru. Sandaime saw it as an opportunity to have them watched on the mission when he put them together and as one of his best, Akio and Ren were put on the watch and observe their interactions. It stirred something ugly within them but it was their duty to serve and protect first.
Collaboration, misdirection, any sort of threat that would put Konoha at risk from the two very unpredictable characters. Danzou and Orochimaru were already bad but if they somehow brought Yuu into the fold then it would be very chaotic. Miserably chaotic because Akio knows just what Yuu can do with him hermiting under the piles of paperwork.
Akio always knew how much power his best friend had in working as a paper pusher but never realized the full extent it he could reach until recently. With how much he control he has over Konoha's flow, it's no wonder Danzou would want someone like that. Or kill him.
But Akio knows that Yuu hated Danzou so the thought was easily perishable, but it is well known that Orochimaru has a silver tongue that can seduce without fail. The Snake Sannin easily crafted his words to entice even the most stubborn individuals and weave then fast striking all the weak points.
Even so though, Yuu saw through deception. Saw through Orochimaru at their first meeting and continued to show hostilities towards him until there was a ceasefire between their summons.
It was weird and freaky, seeing Orochimaru actively seek out the younger male and Yuu was actually going along nicely at the man's presence. The shift was so sudden that it raised alarms of all kinds. Yuu wasn't nice and Orochimaru was becoming pleasant to be around was freaking people out.
Akio shuddered at the thought and wondered if Yuu did cast a genjutsu because this was mind blowing.
And being on this mission was probably taxing on Ren too. Akio knew about the massive crush Ren had on Yuu and seeing the indigo-haired ninja all dressed up did no good for the Nara. Red lipstick that made his lips plump out more, black eye liner and mascara that made the indigo eyes brighter, purple eye shadow that complimented the dress he was wearing.
Fuck, if he didn't like girls Akio would've tried to go for Yuu too. Akio also wondered if he was actually a girl as well but Shikaku confirmed it years ago. Too bad.
Ren was over the moon when Shikaku was rejected but the Nara knows that his chances were as slim as his clan head's. One of the main reasons why Ren avoids Yuu sadly.
It's frustrating that Yuu's hormones were very inactive, it's like they were turned off and forgotten during puberty and made the male have no sex drive at all. What kind of guy doesn't have a sex drive?
Then again, Yuu's mental instability might've been where his hormones were wreaking havoc in. Seems very likely seeing he's not having his fits as much as he was during his teenage years. Now that was a dark time, watching Yuu lose it was scary and heartbreaking when you know he was doing his best to hold in the worst of it.
Held it in successfully and not kill everyone like he'd warned everybody. Nobody listened and yet they still pushed his limits until he collapsed.
Akio grimaced and wondered how Yuu didn't hate them for it, he didn't understand how Yuu thinks it's his fault for not holding it in better. For all his glares and threats, he had a big heart that even he didn't know of.
That's why he really hoped that Orochimaru was the one turning into Yuu's fold. The younger male just had a way with people, a different sort of charisma that demanded respect because you just do it. It looked like it and the way they interacted made him hopeful that Konoha was avoiding having a very dangerous missing-nin on their hands. They really didn't need a missing-nin that dissected death-row prisoners and test various experiments on them.
Nor do they wanted Yuu-chan defecting with all the ways he can turn Konoha inside out. Or leave a big power gap to fill seeing the genjutsu user didn't actively seek revenge.
That would just suck.
-Line Break-
"I would formally like to apologize for my behavior from before Torito-san." Hayami bowed her head. "Kiyome-san explained to me of our current positions in this world and I realized that I still have much to learn on the subtleties of social interactions."
"It's fine." I said indifferently. "I trust you and your companions will keep this information to yourselves, any of it going out will effect more on you and your family than myself. I am not someone who can be easily be disposed of."
Hayami flushed. "Yes, I see that now. Thank you for continued protection, even before we established your hired status."
"You know, despite their looks, they are totally different." Akio commented. "Fuushima-san is the princess but Yuu-chan is an empress."
The old maidservant, Kiyome, nodded. "Yes, ojou-sama is still young but seeing Torito-san makes me hopeful that she will be able to take over the family businesses without fail." She grasped her hands together. "It is a shame." She looked at me longingly.
I gave the old women a sharp look and Akio immediately stepped in the way of my gaze. Akio looked at me with a pleading look before opening his mouth for a topic change.
"I'm surprised that you managed to convince Yuu-chan to sit down to put make-up on him." Akio tried.
"I did the make-up." I put away a stray hair. "I refused their offer and told them I'd do it myself."
Kiyome nodded. "I was surprised at the results."
"You know how to put on make-up?" Akio's jaw dropped. "Since when?"
"It's no different than painting." I said easily. "I merely looked at picture presented and copied the style."
Hayami's eyes brightened. "You paint? I would love to see some of your works, Torito-san!"
"It's a hobby." I glanced away from her brightening eyes. "Something to pass the time."
"The carriage is arriving everyone." Orochimaru interrupted. "Remember your positions." He henged into a generic looking shinobi. "And keep your guard up."
It was a horse drawn carriage and Kiyome and I stayed inside while the others were either driving or walking. I sighed at the oncoming slow journey, it was going to be a mind numbing for a two-day journey that'll take me less than a day on foot.
From the looks of it too, I won't be able to take a nap either with the curiosity emitting from the elder women's eyes. I sighed again and prepared myself for this mission, my worst one yet.
Please let us be attacked. I would love to even watch the others just slaughter the offending parties.
"Torito-kun." I looked up out the window and saw Orochimaru's henged face. "Here, it's a book from one of my personal libraries."
I blinked and took the book. "Thanks."
He left and I looked down in surprised to see it being another Fuyuchi book, a journal. It was old and worn but I could tell it was well preserved. He really did love their works I guess, definitely something I can read and re-read to pass the time.
"Torito-san." Kiyome leaned forward. "May I asked about that shinobi that gave you the book?"
"Orochimaru?" I tilted my head. "I'll try to answer the best I can."
"Is he, er, someone you trust?"
I gave her a deadpanned look. "He's the one in charge of this team. He's well known and feared throughout the Elemental Nations, I'm sure this mission will be a success." I glanced away and opened the book in hand. "One of the better people I like to talk to, at least he doesn't frustrate me after every conversation."
"Oh, are you two close?" Kiyome looked interested.
I shrugged. "We've only really been talking to each other actively recently. Too busy with our lives and with the war going on as well, work in different departments."
The old woman leaned in closer making me wary. "Then how did you two get talking? Another mission like this?"
"No, outside circumstances came up that made us have to speak with each other." I said simply. "We actually didn't tolerate each other before then but after sitting down to talk made it easier to be around the other."
"May I ask about how you came to be a ninja?"
"I was recruited when I was four years old." Her features went tense. "The second war was coming and it was easier to bribe orphans than children with parents. Not that I made it easy." I smirked. "It's been good for me, I don't think I would've chosen another occupation."
"A-ah, so I've read. You have quite the reputation, we were quite surprised to see you in the bingo book when Fuushima-sama was looking to see who to hire." Kiyome looked nervous. "Are you angry?"
I raised an eyebrow and scoffed. "I couldn't careless about another person's frivolities, what they do is none of my business. I'm a practical person, I don't dwell on other people's problems like most do." I crossed my legs. "Nor am I shallow."
Kiyome flushed. "O-oh, we would never-"
"Save it, if you must know, I'm quite well off. I have land, a house, and people that won't stop following me around." I looked at her in the eyes. "If he wants a pissing contest, I think I'd win to be honest."
I gave a quiet breath of relief when she stopped asking questions. Crude language and an awkward topic does wonders sometimes. The not so subtle talk about my relations with her employer was stupid and unnecessary. As long as they leave me the fuck alone, I'll leave them alone.
My mind was drifting asleep despite the interesting book in hand, it was a warm day and this was the time I usually sleep on my rock bed to get as much sun as I can. I blame the Lizards for giving me the cold-blooded trait, I'm just glad I can regulate my body temperature with my fire chakra.
Which reminded me that I need to get down my lightning chakra down. Earth and water were the complete opposites of my primary and secondary natures so I thought working with electricity would be easier.
It's not, it's about the same but I am getting results. Minato helped seeing he was also lightning natured, feeling the tingling chakra and watch it pierced through solid objects cleanly was a rush that I wanted to command as well. I was only able to shock people at touch, it made people think twice about touching me that's for sure. I would've gotten back to water, but I didn't feel like exhausting myself.
And fuck water nature, I was not touching that shit after being forced to go through that poison training and procedures.
I tensed feeling something move in my hair. I kept it down because I didn't feel like fighting with it and now something was nestling itself in my locks as it moved closer to my ear. The familiar hissing was what prevented me from frying the unknown hair invader.
I growled and presented my hand to the little snake who came out scaring the old women. "What are you doing in my hair?"
"My apologies, Lizard summoner." It hissed softly. "Orochimaru-sama wishes for you to keep me on your person just in case anything happens." It coiled around my hand and gripped tightly. "You are very warm Lizard summoner, it is not a surprise that he would like to keep you safe."
I snorted. "I highly doubt that me being a heater is the reason why he wants me safe, is everything as boring as it is in here?"
"It has been uneventful."
I sighed. "Very well, you may stay." I felt the snake travel down my sleeve. "Anything to make this trip any less boring." I looked out the window. "Not even midday yet."
I was startled when the carriage stopped. The tense air filtered through and I wondered what was going on, I really hoped for a fight.
"Hand over the girl Konoha-nin, we have no qualms if you agree silently."
"Don't think we're going to be-"
An explosion rocked the carriage and the horse started running. Kiyome fell forward and making me catch her before she felt the sharp turn that would've sent her out and probably dead through the opening doors. I held onto her tight to keep her from getting thrown around even more. The panicked horse wasn't stopping anytime soon and I was getting beyond irritated at this mission.
I growled at the turn of events and felt chakra signatures rushing towards us, it seems like we were the only ones on the carriage I could feel Orochimaru and a couple of unknowns be the ones racing towards us. I guess Akio and Ren stayed behind with Hayami and the other servant girl.
"Hold on tight Kiyome-san, it's going to get even rougher." I sat back and filtered chakra into the air to weave a genjutsu until I felt something off. "Oh shit, fuck me. Goddammit!"
I looked out the window and saw that we were dangerously rushing towards a cliff. The open air and the harsh winds easily signaled me when I was casting my jutsu.
"What's wrong Torito-san?" Kiyome was panicking as well.
"Prepare yourself Kiyome-san, we're about to face gravity at its finest." I gathered up all my wind chakra and prepared for the descent. "God I wish I could just kill the bastards."
This has to be the most cliche fucking thing I had to go through. There was a river at the bottom of the cliff and we were going to careen over the edge. I was not happy. Bulky clothes and a full grown old woman did not made this day any better. I little part of me wished I had drown in the freezing water.
The only good thing that happened was that I saved the book.
-Line Break-
"Oh thank god, spare clothes."
I was shaking from the cold, night was falling and the chill did not help my damp form. It was only casual wear, a simple red, short-sleeved shirt and long black pants, but anything was better than the dress I had to wear. I burned those seeing they were ruined and worthless now. I rubbed off all the make-up too seeing there would be no point in continuing the charade.
Thank god for storage scrolls. Thank fucking god for that standard water-proof pouches.
Kiyome was cold too but she opted to stay in her wet clothes than borrow any from me. Rather stick to the fire I made, so did the little snake that was with me. The little reptile was not happy.
"Orochimaru-sama will be most displeased." The snake hissed irritably. "He will surely be in an unpleasant mood until we are found."
"Then why don't you go to him?" I shook out my hair and wringed it out. "You'll be able to report about our health and position. Plus our mission objective is still intact, we still can travel if albeit slower."
The snake shook its head. "I cannot, it is too dark to properly position ourselves without a map and Orochimaru-sama gave me instructions to report if you are in immediate danger."
I huffed. "I can take care of myself, go to Orochimaru and report to him if you're worried. We're-"
"I will stay with you, Lizard summoner." The snake hissed testily. "That is my final decision."
And it did and used me as a heater when the night was too cold for it and ate the rabbit meat and fish I caught in the morning. Kiyome was less inclined to eat in such a primal way but the need to eat was far greater than her willingness to slow us down because she was faint.
Trekking through the forest was easy enough, compared to the forest I lived by anyways. All the animals stayed cleared of me and I growled at the two chakra signatures that were following me. They were muffled down but I let my own spread out. I pulled Kiyome close before I lashed forward to the stalking enemy.
"Fuck!"
"Shit! There was nothing about the chick being trained!"
I threw down my chakra claws sending blades of wind. "Wrong person and wrong gender." I narrow my eyes at the Kiri headbands. "We were warned of missing-nin from Kiri, it seems that our information was right."
"Fuck you, bitch!"
"That's a leaf headband!"
Water rushed through the trees and I easily parted the oncoming wave with wind chakra. Like a rock in a stream, it flowed around us rather than overwhelm. They were a high chunin or a low jonin level from what I can tell, but something was off. They wouldn't be able to hide from us with sensors like Akio or Orochimaru around, wouldn't be able to cause an explosion near us without getting decapitated for trying.
The hairs at the ends of my neck stood and I quickly summoned as much fire as I could to burn up the air around me. Set fire to the hidden danger before taking Kiyome into my arms and hopefully run into a clearing to properly find the bastard without distractions. I can't fight with a civilian around and I definitely can't risk myself losing it around her.
Fucking mission, fucking morals.
I'm never taking these kinds of missions again. Fuck this shit.
"Why do you run?" The snake hissed. "You can kill them easily."
"Not when I have an old woman to worry about." I growled. "She's part of the package deal, can't leave valuables behind."
I finally made it to an open space that brought me to a dirt road. I really hoped this was the same road we were on, this fight was going to get loud.
With a quick movement, I felt Kaito pop out and curled around the terrified woman with his giant lizard form. I easily lunged at the enemy and tore out their necks, it was only fair seeing they fucking threw me off a cliff. Blood splattered and I felt Kaito's fire behind me as he breathed wrath upon another set of bodies.
It was glorious.
I twisted my body and suddenly I was surrounded. It was ninja but bandits, mercenaries, the desperate.And to make it better an Iwa-nin was leading them, which was weird because Kiri and Iwa? Maybe the Iwa-nin was also rogue as well. Highly likely because Iwa wouldn't stoop so low and hire untrained sheep like this. Or with another village's shinobi, rogue or not.
I smiled viciously and got to work. A mindless slaughter was just what I needed after how horrible this mission was.
The blood, the bodies, their screams.
"P-please! Spare me!" The Iwa-nin begged.
I shrugged. "I'm giving you to my friend, he'll know what to do with you." I jammed a senbon in his neck and watch him collapse into unconsciousness.
Now to find the others and try to make the civilian less traumatized...
-Line Break-
"K-kiyome! Are you alright?!"
"I- I will be, we both had an encounter with the rival clan's hired help." The old woman looked relieved to be in her younger assistant's reach. "Do you have any water?"
"Yuu-chan, exactly how many 'hired help' did you come across?"
I lifted the Iwa-nin at Akio. "Enough."
"It was glorious." The snake hissed pleased. "The hunt was successful and the Lizard summoner is quite quick and live up quite nicely to the Lizard's brutal ways." The snake turned to Orochimaru in his henged form. "He will be approved by the elders."
Akio came up to me and put a hand on my shoulder. "I know you don't care but please from refraining from scaring our clients." He pushed me towards the river. "And wash off all the blood."
"Oh, I guess I should tell you about the mess farther up ahead then."
"...Yuu-chan."
I was unfazed by the mess I did left behind but the others did show a degree of expression. As ninja, we're used to the sight. War did not leave anyone off the field though it is disapproved of when it can be avoided. Orochimaru looked interested at the ways I gutted and clawed out these people while Ren and Akio gave me an exasperated look.
The civilians were horrified and looked at me with fear.
"How can you do this and not feel guilty?" Hayami said still looking at the pools of blood. "Couldn't you spare any of them?"
"Unless you wanted you maidservant dead?" I raised an eyebrow. "No."
"But you obviously could've-"
"They were hired to kill you." I gave her a bored look. "I was hired to prevent that and I'll kill them if they're in my way, as you can see."
Hayami gave a frustrated noise. "And you're willing to have blood on your hands? Blood of those that could have families that needed the money to-"
"Fuushima-san." Akio stopped her. "Yuu-chan is the wrong person to be saying that to."
"Why?!" She raised her voice. "He's no better than a monster! Like the bijuu in the stories! Killing because-"
A dark aura rose and Ren glared at her. "Don't accuse Yuu of something like that, if you'd seen what he did for our-"
"Ren." I silenced him. "Let her draw her own conclusions. What she thinks of me isn't a problem, we still have a mission to complete."
"So you admit to being a monster? A demon that has no qualms in killing people? The blood of innocent people-"
"Innocent?" I snorted. "I'll agree to being a monster and a demon, but there was no way anybody I came across in the field that opposed me was innocent. If anything, they were even worse people than I am." Amusement danced in my eyes. "At least I'm not the sadistic type that dragged out their deaths." I kicked a nearby corpse. "I'm not for one for listening to annoying screaming and begging."
"But you still kill for the sport of it?!" Her eyes were enraged.
I had to stop and grin in amusement. "Actually, yeah. I do." I saw her disbelief all over her face at my honesty. "It's my job to search and destroy the enemy, might as well like it."
"And let's stop this conversation before Kiyome-san faints on us." Akio got in between us. "Her old heart doesn't look like she can take it."
I shrugged. "Whatever."
"Yuu-chan, at least be nice?"
I frowned. "I'm not the one who was yelling. She asked and I answered, there's no point on lying to a sheltered girl that has a target on her back." I turned my back on him. "Especially when this war is still going on."
Orochimaru just sighed. "I believe we should continue on, we are half a day's away from the capital. We should go before night falls on us."
Honestly, she's about to reach adulthood and still is ignorant to the world. It's one of the reasons why I hate people in the first place.
But it hurt though.
Our little sister hates us, but it's for the best.
-Line Break-
"I can't believe the Hokage would let someone like that be allowed on his village let alone hold a weapon!" Hayami ranted to herself. "I don't care if he's my brother, I'll make sure he doesn't-"
"I'm going to stop you right there before you say anything you'll regret, Fuushima-san." Akio interrupted her.
She turned to him sharply and glared. "Why should you? Yuuna-san is probably rolling in her grave from how her son turned out to be. If you people are so afraid to go against him then I'll-"
"He's one of the most reliable people that every ninja can count on to succeed in the more dangerous missions and bring back his teams." Akio said proudly with a bitter tone. "He's also one of the better medics to go to and have a lot of political sway despite just how hard he tries to push people away."
"But I can easily-"
"No. You can't." Akio stressed. "As a person who has never set foot in war, you will never understand just how much Yuu-chan did. How much respect he's garnered and still is gathering despite his inattention to it. He's powerful too, you'd lose."
Hayami just looked haughtily at him. "So you're afraid of him then? It'll be easy to-"
"Fuushima-san." Akio made the air heavy. "The only person in this group that is afraid of Yuu-chan is you. Kiyome-san was the one to witness Yuu-chan's mess as he says but yet she still walks closer to him for protection." He pointed forward to see the elderly woman and her young assistant walk silently by her double. "Even her assistant knows just who is the safer person to hang around with."
Hayami looked appalled. "Kiyome! Mia! Come here!" She commanded.
The distance between them was enough to prevent any of their conversation from being heard. The two maidservants hurried towards their charge and looked frazzled from the way she called them.
"Is there anything wrong, ojou-sama?" Kiyome asked worriedly.
"Why do you walk with him?" She pointed with a scowl. "Did you not see what he has done? See the destruction he has caused?"
Kiyome bowed. "With all due respect ojou-sama, Torito-san kept me safe the entire time from when we were first attacked to up until we met up with the the rest of the group. Even when we have been ambushed, he kept me shielded from the worst of it when he summoned this dragon-like beast." She said in awe. "It kept coiled around me and protected me from being hurt and witnessing his brutality."
Hayami looked skeptical. "But he admits that he enjoys murdering for sport."
"You must understand ojou-sama, your father hired him specifically to kill your pursuers." Kiyome said solemnly. "In this dangerous world we live in, we should be thankful that he does not act against us. His reputation precedes even farther than your father's influence, why do you think he paid so much for a simple escort?"
Hayami trembled in anger. "Then how come I haven't heard of his name? If he's so infamous then why haven't I ever hear whispers of him? He looks like my father and I, I'm bound to hear about him."
Kiyome bit her lips in nervousness. "Because your father ordered us not to ojou-sama. He knows, the connection between Torito-san, Yuuna-chan, and himself." She bowed her head. "I'm sorry that we've hid this from you but it was far too late to try and bring Torito-san into the family. The shinobi life is an unkind life ojou-sama, he is still so young and yet he's has eyes that I look into nearly everyday when I stand in front of a mirror."
"Kiyome-san." Mia looked at her with sad eyes.
"The First and Second Shinobi Wars were very violent." The elder said. "The Warring Era even more so. The children died fighting, families were broken and slaughtered, people were hunted because it was too risky to let a peaceful man live when he had so much power beneath him." Kiyome looked up and Hayami. "Yuuna-chan knew she couldn't raise her child with us, she knew her clan blood will run strongly through him."
Akio looked at her in surprise. "Clan? Yuu-chan has a clan?"
Kiyome shook her head. "Not anymore, she even said that the fact that he looked like our lord was a blessing because she couldn't bare to leave someone that once looked like her clan. Torito-san would've brought pride into his ancestors."
"But how can anyone let someone like that loose and not locked him up?" Hayami wavered. "How can anyone be so cruel?"
The old maidservant's eyes softened. "Ojou-sama, I've spoke with Torito-san, he's much more humane than he presents himself. And please realize that a ninja life is much more crueler on the person living it."
"They have a choice don't they?" Hayami scowled. "All the ninja I've met always flaunt their strengths."
"Some don't."
That was a lot to think about, there was so much that revolves around Yuu that Akio wondered how can keep up with it all. Akio wondered if his friend even cared about that.
Probably doesn't, Yuu-chan isn't one to complicate things if he doesn't have to but the Fuushima clan was still a powerful civilian clan. They were in charge of the little trade village by the harbor at the border edge of the Yu and the Fire nation's borders dealing trade with Kiri, Frost, and Kumo through civilian means. Civilians are widely separated from shinobi means and have much more freedom to do deals with other nations much more freely despite what the Diamyo would want.
It's the reason why a rival clan from Kiri wants them gone. To over take their positions and have that advantage. The rivaling clan even had a backer to encourage it, a greedy man named Gato but unfortunately for them, Kiri wasn't in the position to have out of country missions for a while so they hired missing-nin. Hayami was going to the capital to meet one of her suitors in order to establish stronger connections, it was a delicate situation.
Akio wondered how long it would take before the princess herself runs away from her position. If she and Yuu are related, it's only a matter of time before she gets fed up of the bullshit of the civilian politics that'll befall on her as the heir.
Torito Yuuna and the Fuushima lord. That's something to store away for later, if only to prepare for the incoming drama and political shitstorm that'll happen. So many clans were lost after the first shinobi war and Yuu was a male shinobi that was famous. Very under the radar, yeah, but still famous.
They also needed to consider that the Fuushima clan was powerful too and had strong connections as a noble clan. If any of the council members get wind of that, shinobi or civilian, Akio really didn't want to see Yuu blowing up because someone got too greedy. Yuu never answered to anyone without his respect and even made the Hokage work for it.
Well. This has been a very informative mission.
-Line Break-
"Ah! Torito-san!"
I twitched at the carefree way the stranger called my name and glared. "Who are you?"
"Hoshi. You hunted down my brother's killer, remember?" The brunette said with a smile. "She's been executed after serving her punishment."
"Oh, the Daimyo's other son." I gave him a wary look. "What do you need from me?"
He came a little too close for my liking. "I wanted to see if you're free to accompany me through the markets, I heard there's an interesting fair in town."
"I'll have to refuse." I kept my gaze steady. "I have other matters to attend to."
"Please." He insisted. "After our talk I've been keeping track of your progress since then and I've been quite astounded by your accomplishments!" I backed up when he tried to grab me. "I would love to carry our conversations from before."
Irritation was building within me. "Again, I have other matters to attend to. I will not be joining anyone anywhere until my team is about to leave." I turned to walk away. "I'm busy."
My throat involuntarily growled when the persistent royal grabbed my shoulders. "Come now, surely as the Daimyo's son I can sway your time?"
This sleazy, dirty bastard was going to lose his-
"Yuu-kun." I blinked out of my thoughts. "Where were you? I still need those reports." Orochimaru's eye glinted strangely before I came out of the royal's reach.
"Yes, I was on my way until I got side-tracked." I gave him a grateful look. "Where exactly are we staying?"
Orochimaru gestured to follow him. "Follow me, I'll show you."
The halls were filled with bustling servants as they walked passed hurriedly. I became more relaxed feeling the royal getting farther and farther away and let out a breath of relief.
"Thank you."
Orochimaru chuckled. "I think the prince should be thanking me, his life was the one in danger."
I scowled. "Sometimes I wonder why I even try to leave the house anymore. People like him only bring out the worst in me."
"I sometimes wonder what goes on your mind." He walked closer in curiosity. "Like why don't you act on your desires." He hissed with a glint in his eyes.
"Because I'm stronger than my baser instincts." I huffed indignantly. "I have actually have self-control unlike the sheep, and I will not let myself be blinded by my desires and other emotions when there are more productive things to do."
"Oh? Like?" The Snake Sannin encouraged.
I looked at him weirdly before shrugging. "Living life, as long as I recognize my boundaries and others, I can do whatever I please. People are so caught up what others think, how they look, or if they're doing enough that they bind themselves to a life of emotional turmoil." I scoffed. "It's much easier to actually establish real connections and benefit from each other than participate in a pissing contest with people you don't really know."
"But what if your aspirations push beyond those limits?" Orochimaru looked at me with a steady gaze. "Some things in life are not easily obtained."
"Then ask yourself if you really want it." He looked like he had been struck in the face. "Because there are somethings that aren't worth getting when you've wasted your life on a chance." I looked at him hard. "A chance that might've not existed."
He looked mildly angry. "But what if there was?"
"Then what are you willing to risk?" I asked. "There's very few things that I'm willing to break for, but it's enough for me to put myself through the pain of dealing with sheep and morons."
There was a silence between us before Orochimaru spoke again. "Do you think the dead be brought to life?"
"No, even if you do, the only thing it'll bring is torment to the deceased and yourself."
"And how would you know?"
"Because it's already hard living life once, what makes you think living it a second time is any easier?" I looked at him bitterly. "I like to think that's why new life is born, because it's easier to have a fresh start than try to do everything perfect again."
It was a curse. I can live through this curse though, even if I was slowly breaking from it. I can make this life as good as I can before dying again, watch all the things move onto greater heights before then.
I really couldn't care about dying but death is fascinating.
-Line Break-
It was weird. I've noticed the subtle brushes, the change in tone, and the fascination in his eyes when he looks at me. I thought I would've driven him away from our conversation at the capital but he seemed to regard me like an interesting book he managed to get a hold of.
And he was invading my rock bed.
"Get off." I growled. "This is my spot."
Orochimaru just grinned. "There's plenty of space, Yuu-kun. Don't be selfish."
"I'm a selfish person." I glared. "I moved and placed this rock here, it's mine." I hissed.
"Won't you let this snake soak up some warmth? It is very warm here."
"I know, that's why I put it here." I growled distressed at the invader, he wasn't exactly someone I could forcibly move. "Why are you here?"
He patted the spot next to him and smirked. "Just share Yuu-kun, daylight's going."
I scowled and did just that. "It's my spot." I bristled. "Stupid snake."
The bastard just laughed at me to continue reading. My growlings towards him went largely ignored and I eventually fell asleep under the sun like I usually do. It wasn't bad to have a sunbathing companion, Minato and the others don't get that I like sleeping on a nice warm rock under the nice warm sun. They couldn't understand why when it was a simple matter of me liking to do so.
And the fact that is was mine. If the Lizards taught me anything, it's that rock beds were sacred and anyone unworthy should not touch it.
This was also one of the spots I personally worked on, the entire garden was mine. It was my place and the others know not to mess with it, learn real fast when they did. This was my escape and the sneaky serpent was invading.
My instincts were going crazy but not enough for me to kick him off my spot. I really did want to but this was Orochimaru, he'd kick me right back and then my garden will be ruined. It was fucking irritating, of all the moments he wants me to claw him out, it has to be in one of my favourite places.
I sighed and slowly woke up to my own purring as a cool hand was preening in between my hairs. I shivered as it trailed down my neck and I shot up at the foreign tingling sensation. I growled and glared at the source of the sudden discomfort.
"Good evening, Yuu-kun." Orochimaru smirked. "Had a nice nap?"
"Don't do that." I snapped at him. "It's weird." I shook my body and stretched. "Why are you still here?"
He shrugged. "I like it here, it's quieter than anywhere else here in Konoha. Even my own home has the occasional annoying neighbors that get rowdy." He held his book. "It's been a while since I haven't been interrupted at all. It's nice."
"Of course." I nuzzled back into my arms as I lied down. "Anything to keep the noise out."
We were both startled when sensei came in a blurred of Shunshin. I hissed at her and bristled at my peace being interrupted and flared my chakra at her.
"Yuu-chan! Orochi!" Tsunade-sensei cheered. "How lovely to see you both." She gave us a sly look. "I see that you two are getting comfortable with each other."
"Tell him get off my rock." I growled. "Make him get off.
Her lips twitched downward. "You and your damn rock, I forgot about your lack of manners too." She sighed. "Anyways, Yuu-chan I need to talk with Orochimaru, Yuusuke also wants his godfather as well." She shoved her whatever-months old baby in my arms. "Dan also brought something interesting you might be interested in." She pushed me away. "Better hurry or it'll melt."
"Melt?" I looked at her before following my curiosity. "What did your parents bring?" I muttered to the child.
I arrived in the kitchen warily and saw the white-haired man hunched over something on the table. I crept curiously and saw a silvery liquid and recoiled back and hissed at the man.
"Yuu-chan?! You scared me!"
"What the fuck are you doing with mercury?" I hissed angrily at him and turned Yuusuke away from the toxic substance. "Put that shit away!"
"It's not mercury, Yuu-chan." Dan shook his head. "It's a putty!" He grinned. "Well chakra putty anyways, you would know what it was if you weren't already so advanced with your chakra control."
I narrowed my eyes. "What did she meant when it might melt?"
"It's already in its liquid state but when it melts, its whole form melts instantaneously!" He made the liquid dance. "We thought that it would make a good fidget toy for you seeing you're always restless." He presented the liquid and I glared at him.
"What the hell are you actually here for?" I looked at him suspiciously.
Dan gave me a strained smile and I suddenly felt Minato's chakra and form blur next to mine. I tensed when they both put a hand on my shoulders and I hissed bringing Yuusuke into my chest protectively.
"Yuu-chan, what do you think of Orochimaru?" Dan asked politely.
Minato nodded. "You seem awfully close with him."
They were intimidating, the dark aura was rising and I growled nervously at their figures. "Why does that matter? I thought being nice to someone is what you wanted out of me." I bristled at the rising tension. "Why is this a problem?"
"Yes but we didn't expect you to make nice with Orochimaru." Minato stressed. "One of the last people for you of all people to get along with."
I frowned. "Why? He's not bad after he stopped with his useless tongue twisting."
"The fact that he was on your radar is concerning enough." Dan said. "Doesn't it concern you that he's so interested in you?"
"No." I said bluntly. "He's the few people that learned to drop his mask."
Along with the fact that I'm in control of the information war that was going on between Danzou and I. I highly doubt the Snake Sannin will challenge me when I can demobilize or push forward Danzou's plans as of right now. He's smart but he's not subtle in his actions.
Orochimaru may know how to misdirect but never exercise subtly at face value. He just can't.
"But he ooze deceit like crazy!" Minato pulled at his hair. "Not to mention the way he holds himself and acts, he doesn't even try to hide what he does in the Science Department!"
"So?" I tilted my head in confusion. "I like killing people and he likes cutting them open. As long as those people are guilty, what's the problem?"
Minato sagged his shoulders. "I keep forgetting that you're morally skewed."
I shook my head and glared at them. "No, I think you need to realize that I don't see people. I see their masks, lies, and deception." I huffed angrily. "Yeah if I'm in a pissy mood I'll use their appearance against them but I don't judge people like you do. It's hard to when the only thing I can pick up is their fake eyes, fake voice, fake face." I growled as static blurred. "I hate it, their lies and deceit are useless, pointless, and most of all obvious." I hissed angrily. "It's like they're purposely insulting me with their arrogance thinking they're pulling wool over me."
Static was appearing and I glared at the two in front of me. I stalked away shoving Yuusuke into Minato's arms to go claw at some trees. I hated it when they suddenly want these kinds of talks, it's hard to maintain a semblance of sanity when they keep bringing up normal people problems.
I don't get why they keep trying to make me understand it. I've long given up trying to make them understand my point of view of things, it was too painful for me mentally. The static that will always try to take over, the sight of bodies, blood, the screams-
I roared angrily and attacked the tree. I don't get it, I will never understand. They can explain it to me over and over again but it will only make me worse. Make me want to kill even more!
A deep breath was taken and expelled as much fire as I could make. Try to exhaust myself, try to do anything to make this itch go away. Fire can only burn away so much, my wind can only cut so much, and my lightning can barely spark anything.
"You know, you can ask for another spar." My eyes dilated at the sound of the voice. "It'll be good for the both of us."
"I'll crush you this time." My eyes mirrored Orochimaru's slitted ones. "I'll hurt you for taking my spot."
The Snake Sannin chuckled. "Still angry about that?"
I blew fire at him and the fight ensued.
-Line Break-
"You guys worry too much." Tsunade waved the two boys off. "I think it's good for them. Both of them, Orochimaru needed a friend and can handle Yuu-chan at his worst. They both win." She nodded with a smile.
Minato glared up at her. "But I don't approve! It's obvious that he likes Yuu-chan, I won't allow him to take Yuu-chan away!"
Dan nodded. "There are better choices for him to pick."
Tsunade scoffed. "Again, they're both asexual and I highly doubt they'll notice their own feelings. And what's wrong with them hanging out? They're making progress." She said happily.
"How can you say that?" Minato looked distressed. "The rumours-"
"Aren't confirmed and his assessments have been shining compared to before he started getting close to Yuu-chan." Tsunade glared at the pair who looked at her terrified. "I know my old teammate isn't a very stellar model citizen but I know him enough that he's a greedy man when it comes to the things he likes. He's loyal as long as we keep him close, but I'll admit I haven't seen much of him since we got married."
"Tsu-hime." Dan looked at her. "It's not-"
"No." Tsunade looked determined. "I'm going to fix that and find out where the hell Jiraiya went as well. Orochimaru never did do well on his own."
Minato sighed. "But what if he drags Yuu-chan-"
"Yuu-chan is the same way you know?" Tsunade glanced at their tensed forms. "Loyalty bounds them here, they don't care for the village, they care for you, us." She said softly. "They literally don't give a damn about anyone else if they haven't at least been on a team with them. I'm their personal medic and confident, I've read all the reports and know exactly what's running in their heads. They're safe as long as we trust them with what matters."
They all winced feeling Yuu's fury, Minato and Dan felt guilty for being the reason to make Yuu mad. The sound of sharp splintering wood and the faint smell of fire made them even more remorseful of their lack of tack.
"It's hard though." Minato said quietly. "Yuu-chan is so fragile, it would just take one person."
Tsunade sighed. "Yuu-chan is strong Minato, much more so than you anyone thinks. And instead of thinking that Orochimaru is trying to corrupt Yuu-chan, but Yuu-chan corrupting the snake-bastard?" She smirked. "It's quite adorable, I wish Yuu-chan was born a little earlier but better late than never."
"Yuu-chan corrupting Orochimaru?" Minato said slowly before looking horrified. "He has a crush on him?!"
"Brat!" Tsunade punched him hard. "I only mentioned them liking each other as a joke, the chances of them actually seeing each other is slim."
Dan started to panic. "You just jinxed it!"
"Shut up!"
Another wave of chakra washed over and Minato started to cry. "That snake-bastard is already trying to rebound from us! We made a terrible mistake!"
Tsunade groaned. "I can definitely see why Yuu-chan is living separately from you. The constant nagging would've made him kill himself."
"Don't say that!"
-Line Break-
It happened so fast. It was calm and I was going at my business as usual before I felt a flicker and a foreign white mask before everything just hurt.
I can't remember what exactly happened but I know I stopped something. Something that I would gladly take revenge against. I remember delivering the more important stack of papers, the stack of papers just in the right order to make sure nothing was getting blocked by each other when enacted, before everything went white. That flicker was the only thing I remember.
And this pain, it was nothing I've ever felt before. I had a high pain tolerance, punctured lungs, neared severed limbs, fucking being poisoned and partial immunity, the only thing that could stop me was blood loss and I had blood pills for that. But this pain, it spread throughout me like vines digging their roots and it burned like my fire. Like cold fire.
It hurt so much. I couldn't escape the cold fire.
I gladly welcomed the darkness and Kaito's concerned face. Even in my mind I could feel the restriction of whatever hit me, it was a dull ache now and made me sluggish but Kaito helped me well enough.
"W-what happened?" I tried to control my breathing.
"An attack." Kaito's face darkened. "Traitor within the room."
I growled at the word. "Did I get him?"
"Of course, but not before he got you." Kaito grunted annoyed. "It's affected your chakra system, you've been out for hours now. Rei-chan is annoyed that you let yourself get hit."
I huffed. "I- I don't even remember what happened, I just remember the flicker."
"Aimed at the Hokage." Rayford appeared tiredly. "Meant to kill him but you saw it first, we always see it first." He sat in front of me. "I can't feel your pain but I can definitely feel the chakra drain. Whatever the bastard hit you with it's eating your chakra, I've managed to slow down our chakra flow to help Tsunade and Orochimaru get rid of the parasite."
"But it's going to take a long fucking while."
"Yup." Rayford popped his 'P'. "Anyone else and they would've been dead. Lucky for you, you got us to control the body. Control the chakra flow, the body would naturally want to get rid of the parasite but it'll end up feeding it. Saved your sorry, sentimental ass."
I scrunched up my face in pain. "Y-yeah, thanks." It was getting hot, very hot. "How did-how did he attack?"
"There was two of them, one to distract while the other busted in through the window. It was a total suicide mission, apparently they burst into flames before they were able to get any information out of them." Rayford crossed his arm annoyed. "Danzou's moving fast."
I nodded weakly. "And hopefully it'll make the Hokage move faster against the fucker." It was getting harder to breathe. "W-what exactly are they doing?"
"Severing the parasite off of you." Rayford looked grim. "An extremely delicate process that would've been impossible if I didn't interfere in time. Tsunade is operating while Orochimaru is isolating the leech, it's fucking aggressive even when a part of it is cut off. The cut off part will just attach itself to the nearest chakra source."
So a long while then. I could survive, this was nothing compare to Rayford's assholery. Pain is something I got used to and numbed over time, it was temporary and I can heal wounds easily. It was something I can get through.
But fuck, this sucked.
"Quit your whining." Rayford barked. "This is just another lesson to learn from, dodge faster."
I growled weakly feeling the heat come hotter but this chill wouldn't go away. Kaito came up to pressed his hand onto my neck and I sighed at his cool touch before it was over taken by the heat again.
Goddammit. I fucking hate Danzou even more, his Root can go fuck itself with their own masks and shove them down their throats right after. I'm going to make his life as difficult as I can make it. I'll oust him by catching him in the act, I'll find out every little secret I can to purge his miasma from my presence, from my own.
I'll unmask that masquerader and make him face reality.
Fucker.
-Line Break-
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