Waiting for Sasuke in the place where I knew he would come, I watched as his form slowly drew closer to the dwindling trees. He was heavily beaten from where he had battled Naruto and I had borne witness to their might with a steady awe and wonder. The Nine Tails' chakra was certainly impressive, and it was only because of Orochimaru's curse mark that Sasuke had been able to keep pace with the boy at all. His headband had fallen from his brow, marred with a horizontal slice and he had left it behind him after leaving Naruto lying unconscious on the ground.
I am glad that he chose not to kill his friend, for it was necessary that Naruto survive and live on, but also because I knew that eventually Sasuke would come to regret his action. Standing whilst leaning into one leg, I had a gentle grip on one arm as I patiently awaited Sasuke, saying nothing until he realised I was there whereby he immediately froze in place and stared at me. An impasse was shared between us, neither one moving nor speaking to the other. Sasuke appeared shocked that I had caught up with him, let alone appeared in the first place. Finally I decided that it was time we moved onwards, otherwise Kakashi might also catch up to us, and I did not fancy taking my chances against the Copycat Ninja in battle.
"Orochimaru is this way." Pointing towards a cluster of shadows, I turned and started walking, though after a few paces I realised that Sasuke had not moved to follow me. I looked back at him, cocking my head at an angle to regard him. My vision was not very good at night anymore, I could barely make out his features without any moonlight to assist me.
"Why are you here?" The suspicious tone was reserved and wary, as if he expected at any moment for black ops ANBU ninja to leap out of the shadows and surround him. Seeing that I needed to assure Sasuke that he could trust me, I allowed my face to relax into a smile, lifting my hand to offer it to him.
"Let's go, Sasuke. I'm always with you." Now his eyes widened, mouth dropping open in astonishment as he realised that I was willingly giving up everything to go with him, that I had chosen him over the village and that I intended to follow him wherever he wished to go. No matter who we were against, I will always choose Sasuke…and Itachi. They are all I need, and all I wanted. For their continual kindness and acceptance of me into their hearts and home, I had already decided that I was going to give my life to free them both from this dark path that they had been set upon by the actions of others.
For the first time in a long while, Sasuke smiled at me. It was full and serene, heavy with gratitude and relief that he did not have to take these first steps alone. He came to my side and even took my hand for a moment, squeezing my fingers before suddenly embracing me around my middle. Instinctively I flinched when he aggravated my injury which he sensed, but when he started to pull away I drew him back once more. "I'm sorry Yuki, I forgot that you were injured."
"It is nothing. This is better." Brushing my hand over his hair, I held him for a moment longer before I then allowed us to part, placing my hand upon his back to keep him close by my side as the two of us faced the dark path together, looking deep into the shadows before stepping forwards as one. Soon enough we had left Konoha village far behind us, not once looking back as we delivered ourselves directly to Orochimaru. He was laughing sardonically even as we were found and brought to him by his second in command, a young man by the name of Kabuto.
We were brought to the lair of Orochimaru, and although I immediately set about memorising every passageway and corridor in order to properly learn the layout, I also kept a close eye on the chakra signatures around us. I had heard that Orochimaru was named as a criminal because of the illegal experiments he performed on his fellow ninja and humans. It seems that his hobbies had not changed since. "Lord Orochimaru is waiting for you, please proceed." Kabuto only addressed Sasuke, allowing him through into the room where Orochimaru awaited, laughing almost maniacally.
I made to follow, however my way was blocked by an arm which Kabuto raised, stating that only Sasuke was to enter at first. Instantly my eyes flashed and swirled, Sharingan burning brightly in the dimly lit hall of stone and clay. "Move." My threat was clear and simple, added with the Sharingan eyes, Kabuto did falter a little, considering his options and analysing whether or not he would be able to take me on.
"I'll be okay Miyuki. Wait here for me." Arching an eyebrow, I allowed my sharp gaze to soften as I turned towards Sasuke who was hovering at the door. "I'll call if I need you." Although reluctant, I suppressed my Sharingan so that my eyes returned to their usual red current colour, drawing myself up whilst closing my eyes in a meditative state.
"Hm." The door closed behind him and I channelled all of my focus into my ears, listening carefully to the muffled sound of Orochimaru speaking to Sasuke. I could not interpret the contents of their conversation, but I would know instantly if Sasuke was in danger.
"We did not expect you to follow the boy here, it is quite unexpected." Kabuto smirked from where he leaned against the wall, watching me closely. "Although it hardly makes a difference, I would not allow yourself to get comfortable. Lord Orochimaru may yet decide that you are superfluous to our plans and simply eradicate you." I did not even grant an answer to such a ridiculous notion. Of course I had my weaknesses, but I also had my strengths. My Susano'o for one was nothing to joke about, and so long as I could trap my opponent either in my Kamui or within a Tsykuyomi, I can guarantee a swift end to a battle, no matter how strong my opponents. If they were too strong, then I will rely on my ability to pre-empt any attack they could make to evade them, learning the outcome of the fight and all variations to guarantee myself a victory. One such as Kabuto could not hope to defeat an Uchiha with a Sharingan, much less the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Kabuto continued to smirk at me in the most annoying manner until eventually Sasuke returned from his talk with Orochimaru, informing me that we were both welcome to stay. Relieved, I nodded my head in acceptance, giving Sasuke a meaningful look as Kabuto invited us to follow him to our rooms. At first he tried to separate us, however it was Sasuke who glared at Kabuto as he began to inform me of where my room would be on the opposite side of the lair. "Not a chance." Sasuke growled then seized me by my wrist and pulled me into his room whereby he slammed the door in Kabuto's face.
"What about your privacy, Sasuke?"
"I don't care about that right now. Until I'm sure we can trust them, I don't want you and I to be separated. Orochimaru has to have his own goal in bringing me here, and he said some things concerning you that I didn't like. If you're closer to me then I can more easily protect you." Taken aback, I blinked at Sasuke who had spoken in such a mature manner. "What?" I giggled at him, amused at his show of bravado and manliness as I reached out and ruffled his hair playfully as I had seen other siblings do to their younger brothers or sisters.
"Sasuke, you are very cute." Kissing him quickly on the forehead with a peck of my lips I then drifted over to the single bed and began to unpack our belongings, separating our piles and Sasuke seemed grateful that I had thought to bring him more of his own things. Once we had the room arranged, I attempted to set myself up on the floor however Sasuke argued that I would be much more comfortable on the bed and that he would take the ground. "Hmm…no."
"But you're a girl, girls shouldn't sleep on the floor."
"Technically, I am a woman."
"Girl or woman, as a man it wouldn't be right for me to take the bed and let you sleep on the floor where it'll be cold. I don't mind it, it's no big deal so you should just go ahead and sleep."
"The bed and floor are made of the same material. It makes no difference."
"It's the principle!"
"Sasuke."
"Miyuki." We argued back and forth until eventually I merely picked Sasuke up despite his protests and struggling in order to drop him down on the bed, forcing him under the covers. When I let go he immediately tried to get up, telling me that I couldn't just carry him around like that but he stopped when I also began to get into the bed. "W-What are you doing?"
"There is enough room for now. Sleep Sasuke, sweet dreams." Once I was under the covers I naturally turned over and placed my arm over Sasuke, drawing him to me as I tucked my other arm under my head to cushion myself. For a while Sasuke remained stiff and awkward, wriggling from time to time and I could feel that his body suddenly grew very hot but I did not loosen my grasp. Eventually he settled down, becoming accustomed to me and even nestled his head in the grove of my neck and at some point, his hand had linked through mine whilst the other grasped one of the long locks of my white hair. During the night I awoke several times, never once truly going to sleep for concern that Orochimaru might attempt a surprise attack, but nothing ever came and I was allowed to simply enjoy being this close to Sasuke, daring to hope that maybe, just maybe, I had managed to open his heart to me a little.
