The forest was always a serene and calming place for Sasuke to gather his thoughts. Whenever everything in his head was too much for the ninja, he would scurry off to the woods for peace. He enjoyed it infinitely more than the big city, nobody could bother him out here. At least that's what he thought. The cloaked man came to a stop on a stable branch before scanning his surroundings briefly. He jumped down and hid his body behind the thick trunk. Sasuke was searching for anything. Any movement in the foliage or otherwise. Whoever was tailing him was good at their job, the adult shinobi will give them that.
Sasuke sucked his teeth in frustration. He didn't have time to play hide and seek. The man wondered if it was someone from the Hidden Leaf or another village. He pushed the possibility of the Sutā following him out of his mind. They already made it clear that they had no interest in him last night. I don't have time for this. Sasuke continued his journey towards Orochimaru's lab hideout, whoever was following him would be in for a surprise if they came there.
Uchiha landed in front of the cave with a light huff. He moved much faster than usual in an attempt to shake his tail off him. It must have worked considering he no longer sensed a presence. It could be a ruse. Sasuke kept his guard up as he stepped into the dark cavern. The man will never understand Orochimaru's fascination with caves or why he decided to put his massive laboratory inside one. He was walking down the hallway looking for the mad scientist when he ran into a familiar red-head.
"Hello Karin," Sasuke greeted nonchalantly.
"Hiii Sasuke," she replied, dragging out the "I".
It was always an awkward situation with Karin, especially after the war. Team Taka ended off on a rather sour note, all thanks to the resident Uchiha. Suigetsu, Karin, and Jugo insisted that everything was cool between them but the man couldn't forgive himself for how he treated them. For how he treated Karin. The scientist shifted her weight from one leg to the next and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She could feel the heat on her cheeks increasing underneath the intense gaze of Sasuke.
She quickly calmed herself down, knowing damn well that the Uchiha couldn't possibly be here for her. Karin could see it in her head already: he'll coldly ask her about Orochimaru's whereabouts and completely ignore her. That's how it always went.
"How are you?" Sasuke spoke up firmly.
Karin almost choked on her own spit. Sasuke never checked up on her wellbeing. This has to be a trick! Karin glanced up at the taller man and instantly melted; Sasuke's eyes were soft and sincere, instead of the normally cold and calculated. The redhead could feel her chest getting all hot and tight again. Damn it! Curse that handsome face! She immediately looked down in embarrassment of how worked up she was getting.
"I-I'm fine!" she croaked.
"How is your research coming along?" Sasuke asked, "You know that the Leaf is willing to support your budget in exchange for your knowledge."
"I'm getting closer and closer everyday! And I know but things are…complicated."
"Isn't it always?" Sasuke chuckled.
Karin didn't know how to act. Why was Sasuke being so friendly and cool to her right now? Maybe this was a fake trying to gain some confidential information on the research done here. No… Sasuke would never allow himself to get captured. So Karin tested out her second hypothesis. Sasuke had a look of bewilderment on his face when the redhead placed the back of her hand against his forehead.
"What's the matter?"
"I thought you may be sick," Karin answered, pulling her hand away.
"What? Why?"
"You're acting weird is why."
Sasuke shook his head at the woman's ridiculous notions.
"I already told you and the others that I'm changing for the better and the way I treated you back then will never happen again."
One could see the sparkle in Karin's eyes as she glanced back up at Sasuke.
"Sasuke…" she muttered, "I know but-"
"But actions speak louder than words. Yeah I know and I won't let you down."
Karin wasn't able to process everything he was saying to her right now. And then it happened. Two fingers softly tapped her forehead and the slight wind of Sasuke moving past her.
"Huh?"
Karin felt her knees buckle and she thought that her body was going to give out right there. She didn't fully understand this sudden side of Sasuke but she was loving every second of it. The woman pinched herself in case she might be dreaming. Karin turned around to the leaving Sasuke and yelled out.
"I LO-"
"I know!" he firmly stated, not wanting the woman to shout such an embarrassing thing.
He won't lie that his actions even surprised him a bit. The man only wanted to speak to Karin for a few moments, and pull himself away from the dreadful reality he would need to return to. Sasuke hasn't seen that look on Karin's face in a long time.
**PAGE BREAK**
The trio watched Karin leave for the ladies room. Team Taka was reunited again to celebrate their ongoing friendship and Sakura's pregnancy. Sasuke was in his early 20s and the start of his atonement. The grieving Uchiha could only cope with the blood of the guilty seemingly, striking down criminals in big cities under the guise of a vigilante. Meeting with his old team-mates was a change of pace for him. They were just as surprised as he was when he sent out the invitation. Uchiha had brung them to an exquisite restaurant to rekindle their friendship, the same place he brought Sakura when he asked her to be his wife.
It was good to see them in suits and ties instead of their war attire. Sasuke made his acquaintance with an old tailor who made his onyx colored suit. He was grateful that his journey was opening his circle of relationships. The gentlemen were enjoying their food and telling tales of past memories. It was the only thing that kept them connected; their past experiences, good or bad.
"How long are y'all going to sneak glances at each other," Suigetsu spoke as he took a big gulp of his wine. "I can feel the sexual tension from here, dude."
Jugo let out a loud laugh at Sasuke's surprised reaction to their friend's comment. He looked like a schoolgirl with how much he was blushing.
"It's getting awkward now like just fuck already," Suigetsu blurted out with a bite of food.
Jugo lightly slapped the back of the snow-haired man's head.
"You forget why we're here in the first place? Or did that puddle you call a brain finally dry up?"
"Hear me out if you're trying to put things behind you then you gotta do something about Karin. You fuck her; your mixed feelings about her disappear and her little girl crush on you fades away. Everyone wins."
"Suigetsu, do you know what you're talking about? Cause you're not making any sense," Jugo cut in.
"All I'm saying is sex solves a lot more than you think," he responded matter-of-factly.
"I-" Sasuke started.
"The soap smells so damn good!" Karin announced, sitting back down at the table.
The redhead looked at her friends that were staring directly at her.
"What?"
The trio returned to their plates and drinks without a word and Karin shot them a confused look. Sasuke eyed the redhead from the corner of his eyes with Suigetsu's words in mind. The rest of the night went swimmingly for the close friend group, being led around town by Suigetsu's gambling habit. The water ninja lost most of his savings that night. Jugo laughed at the almost crying Suigetsu as they skipped their drunk selves up the hotel stairs. Sasuke was happy to see his friends smiling so gleefully, almost like the past never happened. Almost.
Sasuke was a bit tipsy himself, wanting to drown out the haunting memories. Karin and him walked side by side, saying not a single word to each other. They stopped in front of her room door. Sasuke didn't want this night to end on this awkward note. He grabbed her hand and led her up another flight of stairs to a balcony. The man opened the sliding door and stepped onto the metal platform.
"Sasuke-"
"It's so beautiful out here," he interjected.
Karin glanced at the bright lights of the city skyline; she looked up to see another city of lights in the night sky. Stars were scattered all over, forming the heavens above and it was absolutely breath-taking. The woman could stare at them forever. She turned her head towards Sasuke, who was also staring out at the city. The slight breeze was blowing through his black locks of hair. Karin couldn't figure out what he was thinking, and that made him even more mysterious to her.
"I'm sorry."
Karin almost laughed at the random apology.
"For?"
"Betraying your trust," he finished.
"I don't know what you're talking about," the redhead lied.
Karin knew exactly what he was referring to in his apology. But she didn't want to bring up such a horrible memory. It was true that he broke her heart in that fight against Danzo. It wasn't because he attempted to kill her but rather submitting to his dark, hateful side. Throughout their adventure together, she noticed two sides of him fighting for control. And it hurt to see him lose that battle so willingly. This was a new chapter in their lives, she didn't want to bring that up. Karin saw him trying to atone for his sins, there was no reason to send past demons after him. The man was already dealing with enough.
Sasuke eyed her for a moment and returned his gaze to the lights.
"Okay," he said.
Silence filled the balcony and the man started to quickly regret coming out here. Maybe this was a mistake he thought.
"I forgive you…"
Sasuke's eyes widened and he turned to the woman, who was staring directly into his eyes. Red fiery orbs looking into the Onyx abyss. Time seemed to slow down as they leaned in closer. Sasuke closed his eyes and pressed his lips against Karin's, her lip gloss tastes like strawberries. He wanted more. He wanted her. Uchiha bit her lower lip softly asking for entrance into her mouth. Karin let out a moan as she happily granted him access. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer; she cupped his face with her hands. Their tongues danced in a waltz of passion, moaning openly into each other's mouths.
Sasuke pushed her against the sliding door, not caring who saw them at the moment. He slowly broke the kiss and turned his attention to the porcelain skin of her neck. Sasuke could smell her intoxicating perfume from this close distance. Karin let out slow gasps as she felt Sasuke leave a trail of kisses along her jaw-line. He stopped at her rapidly beating pulse and sucked gently, wanting to hear more of her lovely moans.
"Sasuke…" she moaned into his ear.
Uchiha could feel his member hardening at her moaning his name. Fuck her and end the awkardness Suigetsu's words replayed in his head. He was seconds from going through with it until an image of a smiling Sakura appeared in his mind. No. He couldn't do that to Sakura. They just finally started to get better together. Sasuke pulled back to see Karin's blushing and lustful face. The woman was an exotic beauty underneath the starlight: everything matched from her flaming red hair to her fiery orbs to her blood-red cocktail dress. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. But this was wrong to the man. He was married and had a baby on the way. And even though Sasuke trusted the woman to keep the sex underwraps. He would still know. Half of atonement is forgiving one-self.
"Sasuke?" Karin asked, confused on why he stopped.
Sasuke's eye widened as his EMS activated, removing this scene between them from her memory through a genjutsu. Karin fainted and Sasuke caught her quickly, carrying her back to her hotel room bridal style. He went back to his room to sleep but he didn't do much of that.
The morning came in a hurry as usual. Everyone was getting ready to head their separate ways. Jugo and Suigetsu were traveling on a secret research mission for Orochimaru, while Karin was helping the mad scientist in the laboratory. Sasuke was planning on returning to his vigilante ways on the path to atonement. Uchiha simply waved to the leaving Karin and promised to come visit when he had a chance. He was startled by Suigetsu's hand gripping his shoulder from behind him.
"You're a good man, Sasuke," he said.
Sasuke gave him a raised eyebrow.
"I know nothing happened between you and Karin last night. Which is better than anything I would've done, god knows I'd fuck her brains out if given the opportunity."
Suigetsu earned himself a slap on his head from Jugo.
"Don't talk about our friend like that," the taller man spat. "Start walking."
Suigetsu rubbed his head slowly and gave Jugo a glare before grabbing his bag and marching down the street.
"We should do this again. It was fun," Jugo commented.
Sasuke nodded, "Yeah we should."
"Stay safe out there and if you need anything at all, you know where to find us."
Uchiha watched Jugo throw him a wave as he left to follow Suigetsu.
**PAGE BREAK**
He was planning to take Jugo up on that offer and entered a side-room where the two friends were chatting with Orochimaru. Jugo's eyes widened at the sudden guest and immediately stood up to greet him. A firm handshake and hug was shared between the two, not having seen each other in almost four years. Suigetsu cried tears of joy at seeing the old friend. Orochimaru didn't seem surprised to see the regularly elusive man, but gave him a nod regardless.
"Look what the cat dragged in," Suigetsu jabbed with a smirk.
"Wait till Karin sees you-" Jugo started.
"We saw each other already. In the hallway."
Sasuke turned to see the redhead standing in the door.
"So, what do you need?"
"SUIGETSU!" Karin yelled at the sarcastic man.
"What? I know we're all buddy-buddy now but Sasuke doesn't pop in to say hello. It's not his style," Suigetsu explained nonchalantly.
"You know me so well," Sasuke chirped as he walked past the man to the table.
Uchiha began to explain the details of his most recent adventure and his desire to take down this new gang before they got out of control. He elaborated further by saying people in this gang weren't like the other criminal organizations he's meddled with. They were experienced in jutsus not known to him and they had numbers to back them up. Sasuke even mentioned that their leader is rumored to have a Sharingan. Orochimaru's eyes widened at this piece of info and Sasuke noticed his reaction.
"You know something about the rumors?" Sasuke asked.
"Nothing that would be of use."
"Anything helps."
"An associate of mine had a run-in with the leader several months ago and confirmed he possessed a Sharingan," Orochimaru admitted.
"And how is that not useful info?" Suigetsu questioned, confused.
"Because I have a feeling that Sasuke already knew the truth."
Sasuke was quiet for a moment, he needed to collect his thoughts.
"And where is this person now?" Sasuke quizzed the man.
"Dead. As soon as he admitted the Sharingan-user's existence, they dropped dead on the spot."
"That's extremely eerie, " Jugo chimed in.
"There was a curse going around and you decided not to tell us about it?" Suigetsu yelled at Orochimaru.
"I didn't know if it would affect me as well so I kept it under wraps to gather more information."
"So what did you learn?" Karin inquired.
"The cause of death was cardiac arrest at an increased pace, I couldn't even provide aid to the man. I cross-examined the corpse to see exactly when the heart stopped beating and it was around the time he confirmed the person's identity. Further research found even writing the name would result in cardiac arrest."
"So it's not a curse on the person, but on the name?" Jugo said. "How is that even possible?"
"Wait if it's a curse on the name then how are rumors spreading about the person?" Karin interjected.
"The name, itself, holds the power. You can talk about him all you want as long as you don't utter his name."
"That sounds counter-productive as fuck," Suigetsu commented.
"Unless-"
"Unless he wants me to follow the rumors," Sasuke interrupted.
"Correct. The leader of this gang must have heard the rumors of a Sharingan possessing vigilante taking down gangs," Orochimaru informed.
"He wants me to take him down?"
"More along the lines of wanting to meet you."
Sasuke didn't know how to feel about this possible clan member's invitation. He had a lot of questions about their survival in particular. Somehow this person eluded his brother and Obito's rampage on that dreadful day years ago. It didn't matter anyway. They were the direct cause of people's suffering, they would be dealt with like the others. Swiftly and harshly.
"I need weapons."
"Sasuke, are you seriously considering fighting these people alone?" Karin cried out.
"Yeah for once I agree with Karin; they sound extraordinarily dangerous," Suigetsu added.
"My job doesn't change simply because the work gets harder."
"Yeah but these guys have unknown jutsus at their disposal, at least let us help you-" Jugo said.
"No! This is my cross to bear alone! I won't have you guys interfering!" Sasuke snapped.
"And the old Sasuke is back… We missed you buddy," Suigetsu mocked as he pushed his two other friends out of the room.
Sasuke looked down immediately regretting how he spoke to his friends, but they didn't understand how dangerous this field was. He couldn't let anything happen to them; the man didn't know what he'd do if they were harmed.
"I understand your dilemma to an extent," Orochimaru admitted, "So I'll help you with your crusade."
Orochimaru led the man to another room with all types of equipment and weapons, including various scientific ninja tools. Sasuke even saw armored suits and hatched an idea for a new outfit.
"I can work on a new arm for you as well, something stronger than Naruto's Hashirama cell replacement," Orochimaru hissed with a smirk.
"I'm not going on break from atonement, my arm will stay as it is."
Sasuke fingered a grappling hook gun on the table and the scientist eyed him in confusion.
"That tool was made for less capable non-shinobi. Why would you need help getting to high places?"
"Exactly so my enemies won't expect it," Sasuke explained quickly, "I need an armored suit to wear underneath my cloak, something small and lightweight."
Uchiha moved over to the blades so he could collect various kunais and smaller hidden blades. A larger blade got his attention: a katana with a bigger crossguard than normal for said weapon. Orochimaru explained that a western weaponsmith introduced the idea to him, the crossguard allows for hand protection. That mixed with the katana's versatility creates a deadly blade in the hands of a skilled shinobi. Orochimaru pulled the weapon down from it's spot and handed it to Sasuke.
An assistant came in to measure Sasuke to properly fit him for armor. Uchiha liked how snug and light the plating was, providing protection to all of his vital spots on the body. He strapped a utility belt around his waist filled with his needed tools and grappling gun. Sasuke strapped the longer katana to his back instead of the usual spot on his hip. The slightly heavier blade would need some getting used to, but nothing he couldn't handle. Sasuke proceeded to thank Orochimaru for his help and the immortal man simply nodded in return.
"When you have more information on our elusive Uchiha then come find me again," Orochimaru stated.
Sasuke walked out into the hallway where he caught his friends eavesdropping. The trio was shocked by the man's new look and wondered when this fantasy would end. After all Sasuke was risking his life for such trivial matters, while commendable, that didn't compare to his past accomplishments. It was hard to know what Sasuke was thinking, even his friends struggled understanding his mind.
"Don't forget about your original life," Suigetsu called out to the leaving man. "I don't want to bury you, asshole."
"Then don't," Sasuke answered coldly.
"You know we can't do that," Jugo jumped in.
"Can we just wish him good luck and not talk about his death?" Karin cried to her friends.
Sasuke slipped on his mask before stepping outside into the darkening forest; he had spent a better part of the day at Orochimaru's lab. Uchiha moved through the dense line of trees under the shroud of darkness. He planned to make his way back to the town and do some reconnaissance on the enemy gang. The man was deep in thought when the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. A quick scan of his surroundings resulted in no visual presence but he could sense a being following him from the shadows.
A heavy iron weight emerged from the darkness with a clanking chain following it. Sasuke cut left and landed on a branch to escape the metal ball before throwing a kunai in the direction it came from. The loud TING of metal on metal signified that his kunai had collided with another blade. Someone was hiding in the darkness. The chain and ball came swinging back around for a sweeping attack against the shinobi. Sasuke drew his sword instantly and held it downwards in front of him, allowing the chain to wrap around the blade firmly. Uchiha stabbed his sword into the ground and performed hand signs in an instant.
"Chidori Stream," he muttered.
The masked vigilante watched the electricity travel up the chain like water through a pipe. The unknown presence jumped into the air, releasing their weapon and tossing two paper bombs at their target. Sasuke retaliated with one of his own. The paper incendiaries met in the middle and an explosion ignited between the two foes, creating a screen of black smoke. Sasuke used the diversion to close the distance in a second. An intense battle of taijutsu commenced with both opponents being skilled in the martial art. Sasuke simply had the advantage of experience, strength, and speed. The man dodged and countered every punch and kick thrown his way. Uchiha blocked a haymaker and dished out a mind-numbing sidekick that threw his foe into a nearby tree.
The attacker grunted in pain as their body crumpled onto the forest floor, they tried desperately to rise to their feet but the pain in their stomach and back was unbelievable. But they couldn't be beaten here. The person gritted their teeth through the pain and stood to their feet.
"Impressive but you probably shouldn't move much, you most likely have broken bones and moving could result in you piercing an organ with said broken bones."
As Sasuke got closer to his cornered attacker, he noticed they were wearing traditional black ninja garb. The face was covered by a dark wrapping of cloth but Sasuke presumed they belonged to an old clan from their attire. Uchiha was within two feet of the person, seeing their hardened brown eyes glaring back at him. Sasuke was too familiar with the look in the person's eyes. The attacker swung a kunai at the calm man, who easily grabbed their wrist.
"Smart going for my left side, but I assure you that my right arm's versatility is immeasurable."
"Unhand me," a disgruntled voice rang out.
"As soon as you tell me why you've been following me," Sasuke negotiated. "Are you with the Sutā?"
"Like I'd ever be caught dead with those monsters! My name is Asato Rin of the Kamenyūki fifth kunoichi clan and I am here to avenge the death of my sister!" Rin yelled out.
"And why are you attacking me?"
"Because you run with the devils who slaughtered her!"
"What made you think that?" Sasuke questioned, curiously.
"A man who clings so easily to the shadows, who else would you be?"
Sasuke widened his eyes for a moment before releasing the female ninja, and turning around swiftly.
"You have the wrong man," he said sternly.
"Bullshit."
Sasuke glanced back at Rin's pained expression. Sweat soaked her head dress and her forced huffing could be heard in the silent forest. He could see how shaky Asato was on her feet, she wasn't going to last long.
"There is a cave about 2 miles south of here. Go there and they'll tend to your wounds."
"A-s if- I would let you- you leave…" Rin stuttered slowly.
"Rest," Sasuke blurted out. "Or you'll die before you avenge your sister."
The man didn't hear a response and noticed the woman had collapsed onto the ground in exhaustion. Sasuke sucked his teeth in frustration. He gently picked up Asato and headed back in the direction of Orochimaru's laboratory. Uchiha hated wasting time.
Author's Note: I don't know how I feel about this story yet, but as I continue to write more for it; my interest steadily goes up. Let me know how you guys think about the story so far in the comments. And for the person who asked if the villain is going to be Shin, no it will not be. It'll be an original character. Thanks for reading!