This wasn't exactly what Orochimaru expected to involve himself in but, he was here now with Karin and Suigetsu, at the battlefield going on before them from the top of mountain where they stood. Everyone looked like insects fighting, rather feeble in the sanin's mind. He couldn't help but smirk a little from amusement. At least he'd get some joy from this, shifting his attention elsewhere at the larger mountain crumbling and breaking apart, sending thunderous tremble across the ground splitting it with deep wounds, those unlucky to move away just in time where swallowed up.
"Idiots," Karin said annoyed. Huffing. Looking to the sanin then to Suigestu who was focused and serious than she she'd ever seen. His eyes looked ahead like Orochimaru at the mountain, his hand tightly gripping the hilt of his Kubikiribōchō, his knuckles turned white.
Despite the stern expressionless look he had Karin knew he stricken with grieving worry. And burning with unmatched rage. That came off as deadly calmness. She thought he'd dehydrate himself.
Just like her with Sasuke, he was like with May. He still loved even if he tried to deny it, it showed. And now was seen, the minute they where asked by Sasuke to assist he wasted no time agreeing.
Each of them had a role to play.
"Now!" Orochimaru ordered, jumping off and up at the large spherical object breaking out the mountain.
Suigetsu followed instantly, Karin lagged a bit but kept their pace. The thing was huge, she couldn't believe it! They managed to actually...build it. The techno drome. Clutching the pouch she had strapped to her hip close, it was important, kept her mind and focused on Orochimaru. Who landed and swiftly found an entrance. Slipped in, she and Suigetsu follow.
Orochimaru smirked, "We'll the hard part is don-"
"Which way!" Suigetsu demands, about to unsheathe his sword.
Orochimaru caught his hand, preventing it. Put a finger to his lips.
"Shhh," he warns, kneeling down set an arm down and a snake slithered out. It stuck out it's tongue caught the scent. Quickly went off in the direction.
The trio swiftly follow behind, keeping their balance with each shake and tumble.
"They changed up some things," Karin noticed, recalling the blue print. " there's more added corridors and hallways. I'm just surprised they managed to build it."
Another hard shake.
"Who cares," suigestu snapped, "we're not here to look at any of that. It's not important."
"Keep calm is," Orochimaru interjected sternly, "I'd advise you to do such. Karin's knowledge will be of importance later. Right now, our main objective. Once we get there Karin and myself will attend to them and administer their requirements. Which you Suigestu have another more smaller important task."
Grunting Suigestu knew the sanin was right. Once they found you, he'd split off and look for Hikari.
The little brat, he fumed, once this was all over...he was going to...his grip lessen a bit thinking about. He knew in his heart that he wouldn't. He just wanted all of this to be over, all of it. Just like before, many years ago...he could still remember that moment...that day when he was sent to well...end you but ended up changing his mind. Something inside him switched on, this rush of warmth he desired to have, to keep. He made the choice to hide you away and wanted everything that was happening to stop.
To just end.
And...life would be better.
These thoughts remerged with each passing second he and the others raced down the halls, carefully passing and slipping by anyone, though he wanted to cut them down. If not for Karin hissing at him quietly to control himself and that he'd have his chance. To control the rising anger he returned back to his mind, to the fantasy he had...with you. The two of you of you together, he'd go back once the heat on you ended and the war ended and live together. Even if it was in Orochimaru's lab with the sanin and others. It'd be an adjustment that was for sure, but he'd find ways to make it as pleasant for you as possible...you help out with the experiments and developments as he and Karin did. You'd bring that womanly and tender charm that Karin lacked to the place, would he marry you?
Yeah, he would. Not in the most ceremonial way, but it would happen. He'd come and complain to you about Karin and the others, which you'd laugh about and console him. You'd always find a way to get him to smile and cheer up somehow, it would never be dull with you. Even when with a child involved, a boy. A dangerously, sweet boy...that was the life he saw. What he fantasized, never to come true. When he heard of your marriage it stung but he was happy for you none the less. Sometimes he wondered if he crossed your mind.
"Nearly there," Orochimaru's voice pulled Suigetsu back, "be ready!"
It was hard to be, Suigetsu...he wanted to stop for a second to see you and make sure...gripping his halt tighter, fought back the desire. Helping rescuing your daughter was more important, she was a piece of you and knowing just how big your heart was he had to do it.
"Yeah, got it," he tried to hold back his gruff grunt. "the snake better get me there."
"Keep your focus," Orochimaru reminds him, in a chastising tone. "find the girl. Get out. Now, go!"
He and Karin take a sharp right, splitting away from Suigetsu, before completely disappearing he hollers for them to find you with Karin responding not to worry. Feel a bit assured he trailed snake to Hikari, promising to enact his own vengeance.
Vengeance branded itself in Shikamaru's mind, strangling the last clone with his shadow. Not an ounce of mercy shown in his dark eyes, the same he held with Hidan for his sensei. The body of the clone dropped lifeless like a sack of potatoes, that was the last of them he managed to fend off. Now, turning around raced back over to the controls to finish what he needed to do, free you. Your screams now ceased, you where unresponsive yet the machine still drained you. You had grown paler, thinner and...old wounds started reappearing. Life was slipping...no fading from you. Desperately, trying to focus his mind Shikamaru stared at controls lost from his rattle and panicking mind at the controls before him.
He couldn't be like this, you needed him...his sister needed him now. Each second worrying your life slipped away. Taking less than a split second he regained himself, focused his mind recalling what you taught about this language. Yes, he could hear your voice right now...standing next to him and with a gentle touch upon his hands move them to the right keys.
The place shook again violently, he kept his balance and focus. Beads of sweat peppered his brow, a few droplets slide down the side. He ignored them, even some slid into his eyes, obscuring his vision he continued. He had to keep you safe, he was suppose to keep you safe. Just as his father said...it was his role as your brother. No matter how old the two of you became, you where his sister and he was the older brother. He didn't need to be a genius to know that, pressing the last key a pressured hiss sound filled his ears. His heart swelled and tears rose he quickly push them down whirling, dove forward arms out caught your limped body just before it hit the floor.
And in that moment he held you so close, stronger than anything metal restrain. Any snake coiled around its prey, finally...finally he had you in his arms. His younger sister, in his cradled in his arms...you where a bit smaller than before, he could feel it. That...that machine did this...they did this to you. Trying hard as he could fighting back the tears rising and ready to pour, a few fell upon you. And did nothing, you didn't react...you remained unresponsive even at the whimpering call of your name leaving his mouth. Begging and pleading for you to wake up...to show any sign of life...just something. But...you didn't. He tried to find any heartbeat but he couldn't find one... right now he wished he had some medical ninjutsu skill, even the basic to find your pulse or a pulse. He could...find it and know that...that you were alive and well.
But...there was none. Swallowed up by grief he nearly missed the approaching footsteps, quickly he held up a single hand sign spread his shadow across the room ready to ensnare whomever might come in, he'd strangle them before they had a chance to even know what hit them.
"My, my, it seems the situation is more dire than I thought," Orochimaru remarked, appearing at in the doorway, his eyes laid on you. The smile he had dropped and replaced with an unreadable calm expression, Karin came a few seconds after.
She nearly gasped but held it in, keeping and trying to mirror the sanin's expression. Yet, her hands squeezed the pouch she held. Surprised to see them Shikamaru had questions but his mind answered them as quickly as they came, he canceled out his jutus allowing them entry. The sanin waste no time and hurried over, Karin right on his heels. He ordered Shikamaru to release and lay you on the floor. Hesitant at first he complied. This wasn't time for debate, gently he laid you down but kept your head in his lap. Karin set the pouch down and took out everything. There where a few vials filled with a pinkish neon liquid and something other things Shikamaru couldn't make out. But, it was clear Orochimaru knew what he was doing, he and Karin. He watched careful as the sanin took the two scrolls Karin passed him, open them saw some sort of strange seals, which Orochimaru using a sign he'd never seen active it. A bright flash came, Shikamaru covered his eyes missing out what happened next. He did hear their voices.
"Do we have enough?"
"Hopefully, she's lost quite more than I thought. Syringe. This might work, but the damage requires alterations. With out," Orochimaru grunts, "access to my lab or a medical facility..well let's just keep our fingers cross this will work."
Karin quickly glanced around the room, there was nothing here that would work. "Damnit," she hissed between her teeth, reached into the pouch took out three quarter size dark pinkish pills, swallowed them. Hunched over for a moment, Shikamaru was about to help her but she held up a hand, took a moment regained her composer. "Alright, ready."
Seeing she was, Orochimaru rolled up his sleeve and stuck a needle attached to a thin tube in his arm after swallowing the same pill as Karin. Stuck the end of the tube with the same needle attached into your arm.
Shikamaru was alarmed. "What are you doing?"
"A blood transfusion, now hush please," Orochimaru told him, but still answered the demanding question in the Nara's eyes. "she requires the Hashirama cells as sustain which I have within me," Shikamaru opened his mouth to say something, Orochimaru kept going, "since there was little time for me to draw my own blood and synthesize it, this will have to do. Not to worry, the pill I swallowed will do just that, but only giving a short window. Which I hope," he noticed a small twitch from your finger and a bit of coloration start to return to you, held up a hand with his other hand, quickly signaled to Karin she understood, held her forearm before your mouth."from Karin will before to return her to moderate strength. But, the damage she's sustain is heavier than I thought and considering she just gave birth which took a hefty amount of her energy as we all know and she hasn't had the proper time to recover.."his words became a bit disheartened, Shikarmara saw it creep a little on his face, "her reserves are running dangerously low. Help her bite."
Looking down Shikamaru noticed the tentative quiver of your lip moving. His heart nearly exploded and lost focus if not for Karin snapping at him to help you. Carefuly he tilted your head up and with a hand pinched your chin opened, helped you bite down onto Karin. It was a weak bite, just as Karin thought, her eyes silently cry seeing you. A few times you slipped off, if not for Shikamaru holding and helping you. A few times you almost passed out, spit up and...flat out rejected it. But, Orochimaru commanded he force you, tearing Shikarmaru's heart apart inside. But, he did it. Whispering encouragement to keep going.
Encouragement pushed Suigestu down the hall, with his hand still on the hilt. He could feel it in his bones he was closing in, he was almost there...taking a right, a violent shake tripped up his balance. Threw him to the floor.
"Damn," he cursed, standing up grabbed his sword. Felt the place shake again, stronger than last time. "What the-!?" He tried keeping his balance, something was happening. Or something was attacking this thing...whatever it was he knew it wasn't good. If only he knew where the central core of this place then...then...no! Not now, he had to keep going, spotting the snake up ahead waiting patiently for him. "well, hurry up, damnit! I don't have time to waste!"
Hissing the snake quickly slithered off towards Hikari's location.