Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters used within the story.

But there's one sound

That no one knows

What does the snake say?

'C'-Rank Mission: Snake

Chapter 6

Although four of the traveling party were ninjas, being dragged down by a civilian did not help matters. The client had insisted they walk, she had preferred that way over being carried on his back as baggage speaking about how 'undignified' and 'unladylike' it was- which in truth would be a blow to her ego. Misaki-San didn't want such a thing as it would be a humiliating experience in her own words. At first, her standoffish arrogant attitude had annoyed his three little cute genin, but the woman had shrewdly distracted the trio with talks about the natural elements of her hometown, effectively removing all the anger and annoyance that had been directed at her at the time.

Kakashi could have pointed out the client's flawless manipulation, but he found out that he couldn't care less. The newest Icha-Icha had been released. The walk had allowed him to read it in peace. Perfect.

The only disturbance was the bandits who had attempted to rob the three of them but were swiftly defeated by his genin.

He had ordered them to move on and camp near a small pond in the forests of the Land of Fire, a place that was populated by fish. The Jonin had proceeded to teach his students how to fish and a few basic survival tips for when they were out in the wild.

One thing led to the other and the clock struck twelve. Izumi and the client shared a tent, the three males sleeping alone in their own separate makeshift homes.

The former ANBU Captain found it amusing that all three of them preferred to sleep alone.

Only one of his genin seemed to break out of the current protocol and instead of sleeping, seemed to take a liking in stargazing instead.

Kakashi observed his youngest genin, who currently lounged on the bark of a tree, staring at the moonlit night sky with an expression of nostalgia and wistfulness.

He wondered what that was about, but he'd ask his student later. He had more important things to do such as-

Kakashi appeared directly behind Sasuke. "Yo!" He said in a shout-whisper.

-Trolling his genin.

He watched in amusement as Sasuke jumped nearly five feet in the air, eyes wide, one kunai in his hand. That kind of reflex is incredibly good for someone of his age Kakashi thought to himself.

Despite how much the Jonin tormented his youngest student in training sessions, he would admit that Sasuke was very strong for his age- maybe even better than him and Itachi. Of course, he had never overseen the training of the Uchiha kin-slayer at that age but he could only assume based on what his student had achieved so far.

Sasuke scowled at him in annoyance and anger. "Tch, when will you stop that habit of yours sensei?"

Kakashi didn't miss the sarcasm in that last word. "Hmm, did you say something?" He drawled in a bored tone.

His student grit his teeth, gnashing both of his jaws before deciding that blowing up at him wasn't worth it. With a sigh his posture turned relaxed, arms dropping at his sides. "What do you want sensei?"

Instead of responding to the question with an answer, he gave a reply with his own question. "What are you doing here Sasuke? Shouldn't you be asleep like your teammates?"

Sasuke sighed and flipped off the tree, landing softly on the grass. Kakashi disappeared and reappeared in a Body-flicker right next to him. After about ten seconds of just staring at the sky, his student turned to him and responded to his earlier question. "Stargazing," He deadpanned as if it wasn't the most obvious thing in the world.

Kakashi tilted his head. "Isn't that cute? Don't you do that nearly every day at the Uchiha compound?"

He had been informed by the Hokage about how the child had sat every day at a water tank to observe the sunset. He of course assumed that a similar case would be occurring at the Uchiha compound every night.

Sasuke smiled an empty mirthless smile. "You and I both know that my loving elder brother," he spat those words as a curse, "engraved such beautiful memories in my head that it would be impossible to enjoy peaceful moments in that place. The Uchiha compound is merely somewhere I rest. Nothing more, nothing less."

Kakashi nearly winced, he hadn't meant to bring bad memories up for the young Uchiha. He tried diverting the topic from the dark road it seemed to be heading towards. "So, how's your fire manipulation coming along?"

Sasuke smiled, amused. Ah, he had seen through his diversion of topics. Nevertheless, he seemed satisfied and indulged Kakashi in his curiosity. "I'm doing well. I've managed to learn the Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Flower Jutsu from my clan's scrolls. Oh, and I've done this..."

Kakashi watched mildly impressed as specks of fire lit upon each of the Uchiha's fingers. Theoretically, if hot enough, he could boil someone's blood with a touch of those fingers.

"Impressive," he complimented his prodigious student honestly.

Sasuke smirked at him, pride shining in his eyes. "I know right, I'm quite good." He boasted smugly.

"Maa... would you like another training session Sasuke? Need I remind you of what arrogance does to a person?" Kakashi asked his student with an eye-smile, his tone sugary sweet. He knew that sometimes you should show off your hard work, but he enjoyed the fear and annoyance in other people when he tormented them with mere words.

To his surprise, Sasuke shook his head. "Not right now I don't. I actually have something to ask you first. Your infamous moniker is Kakashi of the Sharingan is it not?" Kakashi nodded knowing precisely where the discussion was going towards. "Do you possess a Sharingan behind that headband of yours?" He questioned, tone filled with curiosity rather than suspicion or anger that the Jonin expected.

Kakashi raised his headband and uncovered Obito's eye. "I do." His laidback demeanor had vanished, replaced by a blank mask that hid his pained facial expressions away. "During the Third Great Ninja war, a comrade who went by the name Obito Uchiha gave his life away for me. As a parting gift, he had also entrusted me with his Sharingan. Not a day goes by without me remembering his name."

Throughout his explanation, Sasuke's face remained blank, void of emotion. Then after a few seconds of deliberation, he responded. "It's an interesting yet sad story. People go on and on about how a lot of lives are lost during wars. It's often that those who live through those horrors suffer the most." He then smiled, his face showing genuine happiness for the first time. "You deserve that eye for sure."

Kakashi stared back at him, an odd wave of relief passing through his body. "You don't seem particularly angry at me. My possession of your clans Kekkei Genkai doesn't seem to bother you." He responded, deflecting the topic of war. He did not want to open that can of worms.

"Hn. Not really. Back when the Uchiha was still alive, trying to harm their eyes was the number one criminal offense on the clan's list. Just like the Hyuuga, the Uchiha are highly protective of their eyes. Your friend gave it to you, cherish it for as long as you can." He said, slightly bitter and angry at the end.

Kakashi frowned. "Why the anger and resentment in the word 'friend'?" He questioned slightly perturbed.

Sasuke seemed to freeze for a second before shaking his head. "Ah, never mind it's nothing much. I just remembered that even those closest to you could betray you in the end."

Somehow the Jonin felt like his student was trying to convey some other message, but he shook his head. He's probably talking about the betrayal of Itachi.

"You know... Kakashi, you're a good man." Sasuke said suddenly after a few moments of staring at the night sky. "Despite your annoying exterior and the killing you made us do, I feel like you are a nice person by heart."

"Hmm, am I?" The Copy Nin responded with his usual lazy drawl to hide the surprise he felt at his youngest genin's comments.

"You are." He replied, almost sure of it. He then stretched his hands and yawned. "It's getting late... I better go to sleep. Have a good night sensei."

A Body-flicker and Sasuke disappeared into his tent, to finally rest for the night.

Kakashi stared at the Moon for a few moments. What an interesting conversation he thought.

Sasuke was nothing like the files had assumed. He may have been anti-social, but to those he was close to, the boy seemed to not mind company. He cared for his teammates and appeared to not get angry or lose control far too easily. Itachi's massacre of his own clan hadn't driven the 8-year-old far enough that he would ignore his teammates and do what was necessary for his quest for revenge.

Kakashi smiled slightly, a wave of relief coursing through his spine.

Xxx-WiT-xxX

"How much longer Misaki-san," Izumi asked our client, bobbing up and down in excitement.

The woman laughed at my teammate's enthusiasm. "Just about an hour ahead by walk, nothing more."

I sighed, my thoughts going back to yesterday's conversation. The reason I had asked him about his eye despite knowing the truth was to get the topic over with. I knew he'd expect me to question, so why not do it earlier in the calm of the night rather than after an intense battle between two high-grade shinobi?

I nearly slipped up once on the topic of his 'friend'. Obito Uchiha, the man who released the Kyuubi, the man who assisted Itachi in the cleansing of my clan, the man who sponsored genocide in Kiri, and the man who would someday cause the Fourth Shinobi War was the perfect object of my hatred. Oh, I knew perfectly well that he was manipulated by Madara, but his actions were still his own. He chose to commit such unwanted mass murders, such despicable acts that involved defenseless civilians and children. I hated the man with passion, although slightly less than Itachi. I had plans on how to kill him, plans that required me to be stronger. I'd worry about that later.

"Jump!" The sudden declaration from Kakashi made me Body-flicker as quickly as possible away from my original place.

My new position was a place filled with nothing but trees and grass with small potholes smothering the land beneath the trees.

I tilted my head to dodge the kunai that had the potential to behead me.

From behind the bushes, two figures who did not look any older than twelve appeared before me.

"So, you are the one we must eliminate. I must say, for a kid you sure have some good reflexes." He commented with a mocking tone. The person wore clothes that looked like one of those mummies that would come out from an Egyptian coffin, in the movies. Bandages covered him from head to toe, save for his face. His eyes were brown, and he possessed a wheat-ish complexion to go along with it.

"Are you complimenting him Gentaro? You do realize that master ordered us to kill him? You don't need to inflate his ego anymore." The girl commented, blue eyes locked on me the entire time. A beige-colored top with grey pants, bandaged shins, and black ninja sandals was complemented with a black beanie that covered her dark black hair. Interestingly enough, she wore a purple rope around her waist, the same one canon Hebi Sasuke had worn during the time skip.

"This 'master' you're talking about, who is it?" I questioned my mind running a mile a minute. I could worry about my teammates later, my own survival was at stake as selfish as it sounded.

"As if we'd answer to a corpse," the mummy responded snidely.

I tilted my head slightly, my Sharingan activating to predict the movements exhibited by the two in front of me. This was my first battle, it wouldn't do well to dwell in my arrogance.

The kunoichi made the first move. Her hand blurred into various hand signs that I quickly memorized.

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!" She yelled out.

I swapped places with a nearby log which got crushed by the force of the used-up wind chakra.

I deftly caught the punch that was thrown by the other member of the two-party team.

He aimed for my head with a kick. I dodged and landed a swift blow on his stomach that sent him reeling into the foliage.

The girl jumped and engaged me in a quick taijutsu bout. My speed and chakra-enhanced limbs forced her to be quickly overpowered.

Interlocking her shoulder with mine, I slammed my free hand into her shoulder effectively dislocating it.

She let out a scream that was swiftly silenced by me kicking her head sending the kunoichi into the trees.

A crackle of a leaf was the only indication of the next assault by the bandaged shinobi behind me.

I grabbed a kunai from my pouch and parried away the three shuriken that aimed for my vital organs.

In one abrupt motion, I blurred towards the attacker and grabbed his hand. A kick from my leg tripped the offending shinobi which allowed me to slam my kunai into his neck.

To my surprise, instead of blood spraying out of the affected region, the shinobi before me melted into brown mud.

"Earth clone," I said out loud, my tone a little amused. So, he used the clone as a distraction I thought a bit impressed.

I turned my entire body one-eighty degrees to observe the now standing genin. The kunoichi's movements were a little sluggish, with her wincing every second. Gentaro now stared at me with disdain, eyes shining in hatred.

"So... you know basic medical procedures?" I questioned the Egyptian Mummy.

"We're gonna kill you brat!" He yelled at me, trying to project as much of his chakra onto me. Compared to Kakashi however, it was nothing more like a mouse trying to intimidate a lion.

"Well, if you're so sure my death is inevitable," my grin turned feral, two tomoe spinning in my eyes menacingly, one hand rose in a 'come hither' gesture like Rock Lee, "Come."

The three of us lunged.

Xxx-WiT-xxX

Kakashi dodged another punch from the Snake-like man in front of him.

"My, my Kakashi-kun... you seem to have wasted your potential. For a genius of your caliber, you sure did squander all your potential."

He hadn't expected the mission to go wrong, but he clearly was mistaken in his predictions. As a ninja, one must always anticipate that missions could go wrong all the time. The Copy Ninja had been an ANBU Captain at one point in his life leading squad Ro, the best of the best. He knew the most out of anyone just how dangerous even the most trivial of missions could be but...To think I would encounter Orochimaru of the Sannin. Kakashi grimaced.

He knew he was strong, far stronger than a lot of his colleagues barring his Eternal Rival, but compared to Orochimaru- he knew perfectly well he could not match him in a straight fight. The only shinobi loyal to the village who could compete with the Sannin were Jiraiya and the Hokage. Guy may have been able to match him if he released all seven or eight gates, but Kakashi was still somewhat doubtful.

This is a horrible situation... my students are occupied with their battles too the white-haired man thought grimly. He was highly doubtful of his genin's chances of surviving- he didn't care much about his, he just didn't want to die a failure...

Kakashi parried another blow to his left shoulder before charging a large amount of lightning into his left hand.

Interlocking his right with the hand of the man in front of him, he slammed his left into the stomach of the Leaf traitor in front of him.

The Orochimaru in front of him melted revealing it to be nothing but a clone.

A seal-less Body-flicker allowed him to dodge the wind jutsu that hit his previous position, the ground parting away to give place for a tree to fall on it.

Kakashi tilted his head slightly, straining his ears for the slightest of sounds. He strained his senses to check the surroundings for more attacks.

A snake appeared from near the tree, and out of his mouth Orochimaru slithered out. The former ANBU Captain was well aware that this was an intimidation tactic, to instill more fear and apprehension into him. It clearly works.

Even though he refused to show any emotion on his face, Kakashi was well aware that he was scared of the insidious man in front of him. Despite, his fear and anxiety, he would push on for his students to escape at the very least.

"What do you want Orochimaru? Why attack a team such as ours?" He questioned, trying to buy as much time as possible. His uncovered eye tracked any outward movements made by the Sannin.

Orochimaru smiled, that creepy smile filled with malicious intent. "You know already don't you?" He drawled.

"I don't... care to enlighten me?" The Copy Nin replied, tone void of emotion.

The Sannin only smiled.

Xxx-WiT-xxX

I engaged in a taijutsu bout with both of them.

Their movements were hard to track with normal eyes, but with my Sharingan, their attacks were clear as day.

I parried a blow from the kunoichi and dodged another from the bandaged individual. Grabbing his free hand, I made a hand sign using it. Ram.

I sent a kick directly onto his stomach sending him reeling into the bushes.

A kunai nearly rammed into my ribcage that was narrowly dodged by a seal-less Body-flicker, the Sharingan's ability to predict attacks earlier than normal coming in clutch.

I deflected the girl's fist that was aimed for my eye and grabbed her other hand. Boar.

Slamming my knee onto her thighs allowed me to disturb her leg movements. A roar from the side alerted me of an incoming attack.

I ducked to avoid the offense, grabbed Gentaro's free arm mid-air that had aimed for my face, and twisted.

Swiftly seizing his free left hand with my right, I made another hand sign. Horse.

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!" The yell of the kunoichi broke the fight between both of us boys.

Evading the jutsu with a Body-flicker that displaced me straight to the trees, I jumped down and landed on my feet. Faster than I had any right to be, I blurred towards the only kunoichi who took part in the fight. I snagged her hand and made the final hand seal. Tiger.

Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu. I blew the jutsu directly into the girl's face. Searing hot flames burnt the kunoichi's face eliciting a temporary scream that only lasted a second.

Once the dangerous jutsu had dissipated, the charred corpse of the girl leaking blood fell on the grass with a thud, painting the destroyed environment with nothing but red.

For a second or two, the area was silent, eerily silent with nothing but the ragged breaths of the two remaining combatants filling the void. Gentaro's eyes were wide, almost like he couldn't believe what just happened. Then-

"You bastard!" The scream of pure rage and anguish extinguished the previously hushed atmosphere.

He lunged at me in anger, hatred coloring his eyes and voice. "You killed her! I'll kill you! I'll kill you!"

Hateful, burning hazel eyes stared at me with nothing but the intent to kill. His movements were now sluggish, his anger getting the better of him.

I'd better end this quick I thought to myself. I felt pity for him- horrible for killing his friend -but at this moment my adrenaline was at an all-time high, forcing me to not care about the events and only about my survival.

I dodged a particularly powerful punch and slammed a kunai into his neck, effectively creating a new breathing hole that wasn't viable for use. A swift punch to his stomach sent him stumbling back on his heels.

He clutched his throat, unable to come up with anything but regurgitating sounds, like that of a dead man. He coughed up blood, his bandages falling from his mouth revealing a set of white teeth, dyed with iron-smelling blood.

And once again the surroundings were silent, with nothing but the sounds of wind and spraying blood to permeate the quietness of the environment.

Once my body had adjusted back to normal mode, the adrenaline wearing off, the realization of me killing two people no older than twelve hit me full force.

I have just killed two children I noted grimly, my eyes fixed on the corpse. The bandit killing was ordered, but this was voluntary. I had murdered two trained assassins in cold blood of my own volition.

The thought that the two I had killed were also trained in the shinobi arts calmed me somewhat, but it still didn't settle fully.

It was for my own survival, it was either them or me I convinced myself.

"So you are the one we must eliminate. I must say, for a kid you sure have some good reflexes."

"Are you complimenting him Gentaro? You do realize that master ordered us to kill him? You don't need to inflate his ego anymore."

My eyes hardened remembering those words. No, they were aiming to kill me, I had no choice in the matter. The outcome would've ended with either one of us dead.

I nodded, the arguments convincing me that the act was necessary despite not sitting right with me- morally at least. I got up ready to move on to search for my teammates that may or may not need my help in their battles until something caught my eye.

The purple rope the kunoichi wore and the fact that they referred to someone as 'master' could mean...

"A most impressive display Sasuke-kun, you really are Itachi's brother." The slimy voice of a man made me nearly jump out of my skin.

I grabbed a kunai with one of my hands from my pouch and poised it in front of me. Sharingan enhanced eyes locked with yellow slitted ones... and for the first time since the Uchiha Massacre, I felt fear, pure unadulterated fear.

Because I knew I had no chance against the monster who stood in front of me...

Xxx-WiT-xxX

"My dream is to master all ninjutsu discovered within this world." Orochimaru's smile dropped ever so slightly before widening. "Tell me Copy Ninja," the man who stood before him mocked his infamous moniker that sent terror in the veins of those who opposed him during his time as ANBU Captain, "how did you earn that name?"

Kakashi's face remained stern, hard, and blank. He needed to stall for as much time as possible to regenerate his lowered reserves. Nevertheless, he indulged the Snake Sannin's question. "I earned my name through copying my enemy's jutsu. I can demonstrate it for you if you want." He added, trying to put as much bravado into his voice as possible.

Orochimaru laughed at him amused at his failed attempt. "I'm sure you could, I'd like to see you try... but that's not what I'm here. Just like you, I desire the power of the Sharingan." Kakashi's eyes widened when he realized just what the man who stood before him was after. Sasuke! "Ah, you realize it right? The Sharingan and its ability to copy any ninjutsu with just a look at someone's movement. I desire the power of the Uchiha clan, the clan that possessed one of the three legendary dojutsu."

Quickly forming hand signs the son of the White Fang charged up a Chidori. "If you lay a hand in him..."

Orochimaru chuckled at him in amusement and malicious glee. "You think you match up to me..." the man continued chuckling at his audacity for a few more seconds before his laughter eventually subsided. "Regardless it does not matter what you try and do at the very moment. Your student is merely a piece on the board, a pawn to further my own goals. A very valuable piece nonetheless if that satiates your worries," the Sannin proclaimed grandly, arms horizontally placed on both sides of his body.

The Leaf traitor dropped his hands, smile morphing into an arrogant smirk. "Sasuke-kun's whole family was killed by his elder brother. Don't you think he'd want more power? Power to avenge his family, those that were murdered in cold blood by the very person he most likely looked up to?" Kakashi's eyes widened at the implications. "Yes, yes I'm sure you know now. A few well-placed words," Orochimaru opened his palm and closed his fist, "and he'll be in my grasp."

Kakashi grit his teeth not knowing whether the words were to be believed or not. Sasuke had shown genuine care for both his teammates, the conversation he had at night in his favor once again, but at the same time... he would want revenge. The snake sannin would no doubt be able to coax his student into following him by his side with how manipulative the man was.

The voice of Orochimaru broke him from his musings. "Oh, just in case you think you were being clever by stalling, I was attempting something similar too."

The man in front of him vanished in a puff of smoke.

Kage Bunshin! Kakashi thought in alarm. I have been fooled!

This was bad, very bad. Who knows just how far the man had gone...

The Copy Ninja vanished in a Body-flicker, intent on reaching Sasuke's location as fast as possible.

Xxx-WiT-xxX

I grit my teeth in fear and apprehension. The atmosphere was tense, the trees and bushes rustled in the soft breeze amplifying the terrifying ambiance.

Just why? Why has shit gone so wrong? Orochimaru didn't have to appear so early dammit! I yelled in my mind.

Yet the man stood before me, perfectly calm and relaxed, a slimy Joker-like smile fixed on his inhuman face.

"Using their own hands to form jutsus while fighting. A truly impressive display I must say," the man complimented me. I didn't know whether I to feel flattered or insulted.

Then his aura descended upon me. Pure, unbridled, unmatched killing intent permeated the very surroundings.

My knees were shaking uncontrollably. I couldn't breathe, couldn't speak-

This man, this monster was absolutely terrifying. Fear clogged every part of my heart, nearly forcing my mouth to open and beg the Snake Sannin to have mercy- only my control over my emotions saving me from my humiliation.

He walked towards me like a predator would stalk their prey until our faces were only a meter apart. "Although I must say, you look rather pitiful right now..." he commented with a lazy drawl.

Then, within seconds a snake appeared behind me grabbing my hands and legs, forcing them to stay put before finally pulling my collar, exposing my bare neck for the world to see.

Orochimaru sighed in mock sadness. "A shame we won't be able to talk much today. But when the time comes..." his neck elongated- two large fangs suddenly appearing - until it reached my neck and his teeth sunk into my collarbone.

Pain coursed through my veins, the oppressive atmosphere of Orochimaru's killing intent preventing me from screaming in agony.

The monster's neck returned to normal size.

Orochimaru sunk to the ground, but not before leaving with some parting words. "Seek me and I shall give you what you desire."

Just as the Sannin disappeared, my eyelids drooped, the pain finally exhausting my tolerance.

Before my vision faded to complete blackness, I heard a distinct scream of my name come from my only sensei.

AN: Hope y'all like the latest chapter. Do you think I wrote the fight scenes well? What could I have done better?

Some Kakashi and Sasuke bonding time.

Also, I feel like Kakashi should have some dog-related sensing techniques unlike canon don't you think? Should I give him some?

Sasuke's hand signs for the fireball jutsu are less than that of canon since his fire manipulation is more refined. I included the 'using someone else's hands for hand signs' schtick from canon Sasuke vs Naruto fight. That was epic as hell.

I've got a direction for Sasuke to march towards- the plot is already fixed so...

The-Anti-Akuma: Thank you for pointing out those grammar mistakes. I've taken your opinions into account, but I feel like training montages are boring to write. All those explanations you have to come up with are annoying af (aka me being lazy to come up with technicalities of jutsus).

ThousandDaysOfLaziness: I feel like that shouldn't have happened. Kakashi should have made Naruto or Sakura (Sasuke already has experience with death) kill the demon brothers to get them used to shinobi life. That's what ninjas are, trained mercenaries at the end of the day. Getting them used to death would have been better in the long run.

Iskandar Hero: I like your suggestions and a lot of them do make sense. Yes, most of the elemental training, genjutsu, ninjutsu (a few of them), fuinjutsu will mostly be done off-screen. Thanks for the kind review!

Guest: The substitution jutsu in my opinion is a more 'ribbon-like' effect. Basically, the ninja reaches out using his chakra to an object (like a kunai, rock, log, etc.) and kind of pulls it towards himself fast enough to give the illusion that he switches places with the object. And yes, it isn't a space-time ninjutsu (that is Sasuke's Amenotijikara).

Reader4stuff: Cool ideas. Just read and find out ;)