So, it's been a hot minute since I've updated this. The next chapter to write is chapter fifty-three. I'm not sure when I'll return to writing this, but I'm hoping I won't take so long to update.
I have a new job. A work from home job. Call center is... interesting. Honestly, the job isn't hard just... frustrating at times? I have a great supervisour & work team so that helps. I've also have a new doctor & I'm working on getting a new endocrinologist, ophomologist, & neurologist. Because, after almost a year, I still haven't taken any MS medication.
Slowly, but surely, all of my stories will be finished! I do have plans for others, but those are in the works. I am working on planning a Persona 5 Royal & Personal 4 Golden (sorta kinda crossover, it's... complicated.) story, but that won't be posted up until all these other stories are done.
But, Pippa & I are playing P5R NG+ & we just finished my favourite palace :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Naruto Shippuden. This is just for fun, no profit will be made from this (and I don't want to either). This is purely for my and the entertainment of Naruto fans.
Dedication: To my beautiful, amazing, intelligent, girlfriend Phillipa (Shadow Spirit Dragon-wolf) for being there for me through not only my writing (both fanfiction and my original story) but real life in general. You have been my inspiration and my support through everything.
Warnings: Violence, explicit sexual conduct (no rape!) homosexual relationship, relationship with a large age gap, struggles with belonging, self-hatred, obsession, self-harm, self-experimentation, human experimentation, mental disorders, a dark view of the "afterlife", (bonding of) pain and isolation, self-worthlessness, and male pregnancy.
Pairings: NaruOro, canon pairings (except, obviously, NaruHina).
Summary: Sometimes, the deepest scars are the ones no one can see, but in a world moving into the light even the oldest inner wounds can be seen
Enjoy! :)
Chapter Forty-eight: Barriers
Maruta
"Mama, stop!" I exclaim as he throws furniture all over the place, chasing me.
I know he's not really here. He isn't trying to hurt me, but he is. He's already thrown my brothers into his lab and sealed the door closed. He yells and hisses at nothing. I wish I was stronger. I wish I could do something to help!
I'm so exhausted from moving around so much. On top of that I went through physical therapy with Lee-sensei.
"Get away from him!" Mama shouts, attacking me with Kusanagi.
I gasp, trying to move. He's so quick and I'm so slow! The sword hits my face, cutting down. I let out a scream, covering the wound.
"Maruta!" my brothers scream, banging against the door.
I close my eyes. I have to do something, but I'm so tired! I wish I wasn't so weak and useless! Mama needs help, and I have to protect my brothers!
The door of the lab shatters. My brothers pant, running over to me. Boruto screams, covering that bad eye of his. Mama lashes his tongue out and knocks the TV over, running into the kitchen and attacking it.
"Boruto!"
"I'm fine! Just this stupid eye again!"
He tries to make it to us again, but stumbles and falls over.
"Boruto, are you okay?!" Mitsuki asks as he picks me up. "Boruto, let's get to Daddy!"
Boruto doesn't look so good. I feel weak myself. My face burns! I curl into my brother's arms. He's younger, but at least he and Boruto are useful!
"Right. Where is Sabiniji?" he asks, looking around to see that she's with Nagi trying to calm Mama down.
Boruto attempts to come over to us, but he falls to his knees, covering his eye again. He really doesn't look good at all!
"Boruto?"
There's a weird black and purple portal that swirls around my brother. Before we can stop it, it pulls him in.
"Boruto!" Mitsuki and I scream.
"W-where did he go?!"
"I…" I cough. "I… I don't know…"
"Hey! Hang in there! Let's go get help!"
"I'll just slow you down."
"Nonsense! Mama may kill you!"
"No he won't. Go get Daddy. He'll be able to calm Mama down," I gasp.
"But what about you?"
"Don't worry about me-"
Mitsuki takes me to his room. A few snakes come out of his sleeve. "Don't let Mama in here. He's attacking Maruta."
"Yes, Master Mitsuki," they hiss, slithering onto my face.
I gasp feeling them healing me with their sage chakra.
"I'll bring Daddy here as soon as possible. Don't be afraid to use your powers if you need to."
"I can't. I''m too tired."
Mitsuki looks at me sadly then disappears, locking the door before he does.
I close my eyes, tears falling. If only I were stronger…
Naruto
I shushin to my home, slamming the door open and running into my home. The house is completely destroyed! There's blood on the floor too.
'Maruta is in Boruto's and Mitsuki's room, but I don't sense Boruto at all,' Kurama informs me.'
I make a shadow clone to check on Maruta. Mitsuki told me that Oreo attacked Maruta, so the blood all over the floor is from Maruta no doubt.
"Get back here you vile vermin! You will not take them away!" Oreo hisses as he runs back into the living area.
"Oreo," I say, blocking his path.
He hisses, attacking me. He's attacking too recklessly, which makes him easy to predict, dodge, and counterattack. This isn't like my lover at all. What caused him to flip out like this?!
"Die!"
I know attacking him too much will only cause him to freak out more, but I can't let him hurt anyone else! He's going to flip out when he 'wakes up', and finds out he's hurt Maruta. But what about Boruto? What will happen if…
Oreo stops, staring at me. His eyes are hazy and glazed over. Sweat drips all over his face; his hair sticks to his face. He grips Kusanagi like his life depends on it. Nagi wraps tightly around the hilt. Sabiniji wraps around Oreo, squeezing him, but it doesn't seem like it's affecting him in any way.
"Oreo, please stop this! You've hurt Maruta!"
"Stop lying! Maruta is safe. They're all safe. It's time to destroy you!"
'He truly has lost it.'
I can tell Nagi is trying to calm him down too. I'm sure she's talking to him, but it's falling on deaf ears.
The door to Boruto's and Mitsuki's room opens. My shadow clone holds my oldest son.
"Keep him in the room!"
"He insisted!"
"Maruta, you need to stay back! Your mother is sick!"
"I… I know, Daddy," he gasps. "But… I want to help him…"
"I've got it, little one."
"How dare you!" Oreo hisses, rushing over to Maruta.
I grab him, pulling him into my arms. He lashes his tongue and thrashes about, screaming.
"Enough, Orochimaru!"
"I'll kill you all, and with Lord Shiromaru's help, I'll bring them all back!"
"Mama…" Maruta whispers.
I pull Oreo closer, trying to calm him down. But the more I hold him, the more he thrashes and attacks me. I don't want to have to hurt him, but he's becoming a danger to himself now. He's already cut into his own arm and leg with his sword.
I close my eyes, preparing to restrain him, and get him to the hospital. Before I'm able to, I hear a nice musical sound. I open my eyes and gasp.
Maruta's tail is glowing with a strange yellow glow wrapping around it. It rattles and he sings softly in some strange language I had no idea he even knew!
Oreo stops thrashing and stares at our first born child. Time seems to stand still. And despite Sakura, Kakashi-sensei, Snake Lady, Captain Yamato, and Kabuto running into the room, shouting, the music is the only thing any of us hear.
Oreo drops Kusanagi, making the metal hit the wood floor with a loud clang! He blinks and stares at Maruta.
I know everyone wants to know about what Maruta did and how he calmed his mother, myself included, but we have to be prepared for another possible flip out. One that puts the "reaper flipouts" to shame.
"M-Maruta…? W-what…?" he gasps. He looks at everyone else too.
"Orochimaru-sensei?" Snake Lady says softly, approaching her sensei.
Oreo pulls away from me and backs up, eyes wide with fear.
"Oreo?"
"I…"
"You're going to get the help you need, and should have had a long time ago, Orochimaru," Kakashi-sensei says. "It's going to be okay."
"W-where are Boruto and Mitsuki?"
"Mitsuki is with Ino and Hinata at the hospital. His injuries aren't severe. As for Boruto…" Sakura trails off, looking at me for help.
Oreo looks at me. "N-Naruto? Where is Boruto?" he asks shakily.
"B-Boruto d-disappeared," Maruta gasps.
"Get Maruta to the hospital!" Sakura demands my shadow clone.
"Right!" he (I) exclaim, doing so.
"He d-disappeared?!" Oreo whispers shakily, tears falling.
"Orochimaru-sensei…"
"We're going to find him, Lord Orochimaru. No matter what!"
"Yes, and I'll make sure you, Maruta, Mitsuki, and Boruto when we find him, are safe and well."
Oreo turns around. "I need to find my son."
"You're in no condition to do anything right now. You're going to the hospital," Kakashi-sensei says.
Oreo looks over his shoulder and hisses. "I need to find Boruto."
"I have already put a search party out for him. We will find him, Orochimaru. Come on."
"No! I need-"
"You need to be mentally evaluated," Captain Yamato says.
"There's nothing wrong with me!" Oreo hisses, turning around and glaring at him.
"Then why did you attack Maruta?"
"I didn't! There were reapers!""
"There are no reapers! That's the problem! You keep attacking things that aren't there, and people are being hurt!"
"Just because you can't see them doesn't mean-"
"Oreo," I whisper, walking over to him. "Please do what Kakashi-sensei says."
He looks at me. "Naruto, you… you don't believe me?"
No, I don't Oreo, but…
"That's not it. I just want to make sure you're okay. I mean we can't see them, so maybe a mental evaluation will help? Maybe we can see what you see or something…"
Oreo looks at me for a while. "I need to be alone right now," he whispers. He tries to move past us, but we block him. He hisses, glaring at us. "I'm not going to the hospital when I'm fine!"
"Oreo, don't make me make you," I whisper.
"N-Naruto? Why? You…! You lied to me! You don't believe me!" he exclaims, rounding on me.
I close my eyes. "I should have gotten you help when I first saw you freak out. I'm so sorry, Oreo…"
Oreo stares at me then everyone else. "N-no, not you… why does everyone…?" he whispers shakily, backing away.
"Oreo…" I whisper, reaching out to him.
He jumps back. "Stay away from me!"
"W-what? But…"
"You betrayed me!"
"No, I didn't! I'm trying to help you!"
"Liar!"
This is crazy! Why is Oreo acting like this?! Dammit! I look at the others for help. They seem as lost as I am. Great. What the hell do we do? If I let Oreo "escape", he'll hurt himself! But if I make him go to the hospital, he'll never trust me again! Dammit!
Orochimaru
I chase the reapers through the house. One has Maruta. He doesn't see it though, but I'll save him! I'll protect everyone from these foul beasts!
"Do you think you have the power to stop us? You're weak!" the reaper who has Maruta cackles.
I attack and another one moves to "protect" her friend.
"Maybe I'll take the other two as well. Lord Vairu wants this one, but…"
"Then get on with it, Xinu!"
She scoffs.
"Boruto, Mitsuki, you have to-" I exclaim, turning to my other children curled up, eyes wide. Another reaper goes after them. I lash my tongue, knocking the table over and pinning the vermin. "You will not have them!"
They cackle, pulling Maruta close and licking his ear. He still hasn't woken up. I knock the couch over. Boruto and Mitsuki run over, determined to face the reapers I assume even though they can't see them.
I can't let them!
"No! They'll get you! Run away!"
"It's too late! We have them-"
Before one of them can grab my twin boys, I wrap my tongue around them and throw them into my lab. I seal the door. They'll be safe in there for now! Now I just have to get Maruta away from Zaiko!
According to Lord Shiromaru, Zaiko and Xinu are Vairu's top guards. He only sends them to retrieve his prey if he believes the prey is too hard to catch. It'll be impossible! I'll never let these stupid reapers have anyone! Especially my family!
I attack Xinu with Kusanagi. She rolls out of the way, and the sword hits the couch, slicing it in half instead of her.
She laughs. "You're pathetic! Come on, Zaiku. His Majesty will be satisfied with that one."
Zaiku grins, standing up. "Alright, shall we?"
I activate a Wind-style jutsu and blow them into the wall straight across the room. They hit the wall hard, creating a large hole in it.
"Shit, we need to kill this one!"
"We can't! He's with Shiromaru! Once we kill him-"
I bisect Zaiku.
"Zaiku!"
"You're next!" I hiss.
She smirks.
All of a sudden, what seems like hundreds of reapers appear out of nowhere! I have to stop this! I have to! I summon some snakes and let them attack the reapers. I have to go after Xinu. I doubt Zaiku will be down for long.
She runs through the house, and I chase her, blasting her with powerful jutsu that I know if it hit her, she'd be down for a while.
She's a lot faster than Zaiku. She dodges my attacks with such ease! It's no wonder she's one of Vairu's top guards!
The other reapers scream as my lovely pets take care of them. They're nothing but throwaways. Weak. Their numbers are the only thing to worry about.
I order one of the snakes to take Maruta, Boruto, and Mitsuki somewhere safe. Ryuuchi Cave. Although, there is the problem with none of them officially having a contract, but I'm sure Lady Hebimaru will let it slide. (Or she'll get pissed off at me,and I'll deal with it later.)
Xinu runs into the living area with a smirk.
"Get back here you vile vermin! You will not take them away!"
She disappears and what seems like Naruto appears in front of me.
"Oreo."
I know that's not him though! He's in a meeting!
I attack, and this time, she attacks back. She's a lot stronger than she looks! Still, I can't let up!
"Die!"
She smirks, jumping back and studying me.
I watch her as well. There's no telling what this one will do.
"Oreo, please stop this! You've hurt Maruta!" she mimics my husband, keeping his appearance.
"Stop lying! Maruta is safe. They're all safe. It's time to destroy you!"
Zaiku appears with Maruta in his arms.
"How dare you!" I hiss, rushing over to Maruta.
Zaiku grabs me. I vaguely hear something in the distance, but I have to focus on this fight!
I hiss, thrashing about. "I'll kill you all, and with Lord Shiromaru's help, I'll bring them all back!"
"We won't let you!" Zaiku and Xinu cackle.
Both of them look like my husband now!
I hiss, lashing my tongue and sword. I don't care about cutting myself with it! As long as I can-
I hear a strange sound and freeze.
"What's that?!" Zaiku gasp as he slowly disappears.
"Shit! It's one of Shiromaru's powers! But where is it coming from?!"
"How should I know?! Let's get out of here and report!"
I stare at Maruta and the shadow clone of Naruto, and drop Kusanagi, making the metal hit the wood floor with a loud clang! "M-Maruta…? W-what…?" I gasp. I look around and realize Anko, Kabuto, Kakashi, Tenzo, and Sakura are here as well.
"Orochimaru-sensei?" Anko asks softly, approaching me.
I pull away from the real Naruto, backing away slowly.
"Oreo?"
"I…"
"You're going to get the help you need, and should have had a long time ago, Orochimaru," Kakashi says. "It's going to be okay."
"W-where are Boruto and Mitsuki?" I ask shakily.
"Mitsuki is with Ino and Hinata at the hospital. His injuries aren't severe. As for Boruto…" Sakura trails off, looking at Naruto for help.
I look at my husband. "N-Naruto? Where is Boruto?" I ask shakily.
"B-Boruto d-disappeared," Maruta gasps.
"Get Maruta to the hospital!" Sakura demands the shadow clone.
"Right!" the shadow clone exclaims, disappearing with Maruta.
"He d-disappeared?!" I whisper, tears falling. I don't even care right now! The reapers got him! They distracted me with Maruta, defeated my snakes, and took him! Thank the gods Mitsuki was able to escape and find help!
"Orochimaru-sensei…"
"We're going to find him, Lord Orochimaru. No matter what!"
"Yes, and I'll make sure you, Maruta, Mitsuki, and Boruto when we find him, are safe and well."
I turn around. They don't know the danger! "I need to find my son."
"You're in no condition to do anything right now. You're going to the hospital," Kakashi-sensei says.
I look over my shoulder and hiss. "I need to find Boruto."
"I have already put a search party out for him. We will find him, Orochimaru. Come on."
"No! I need-"
"You need to be mentally evaluated," Tenzo says.
"There's nothing wrong with me!" I hiss, turning around, and glaring
"Then why did you attack Maruta?"
"I didn't! There were reapers!"
"There are no reapers! That's the problem! You keep attacking things that aren't there, and people are being hurt!"
"Just because you can't see them doesn't mean-"
"Oreo," Naruto whispers, walking over to me. "Please do what Kakashi-sensei says."
I look at him in utter shock and disbelief. "Naruto, you… you don't believe me?" I ask shakily.
Why?! I'm not crazy!
I can feel Nagi stirring deep inside me, sending waves of her warm chakra to soothe me. She must be exhausted from helping me fight Zaiku and Xinu.
"That's not it. I just want to make sure you're okay. I mean we can't see them, so maybe a mental evaluation will help? Maybe we can see what you see or something…"
I look at him for a while. I need to find a way to get into the Reapers' lair! I also need to punish myself for failing Boruto! "I need to be alone right now," I whisper. I try to move past them, but they block me. I don't have time for this! I hiss, glaring at them. "I'm not going to the hospital when I'm fine!"
"Oreo, don't make me make you," Naruto whispers.
"N-Naruto? Why? You…! You lied to me! You don't believe me!" I exclaim, rounding on him.
I can't believe this! So all of this was a lie?! Does he even…
'You know he does, Orochi.'
He closes his eyes. "I should have gotten you help when I first saw you freak out. I'm so sorry, Oreo…"
I stare at him then everyone else. "N-no, not you… why does everyone…?" I whisper shakily, backing away.
"Oreo…" he whispers, reaching out to me
I jump back. "Stay away from me!"
"W-what? But…"
"You betrayed me!"
"No, I didn't! I'm trying to help you!"
"Liar!"
I'll fight all of them if I have to! I know I'm not as strong as Naruto is, but if he's not going to believe me, I'll prove it to him and everyone else! I won't be made a fool anymore!
"I''m not lying, Oreo! I promise! I didn't betray you! Please believe me!" Naruto exclaims, tears falling as he approaches me.
"Stay away from me!" I hiss, attacking him with some snakes.
"Oreo, why are you doing this?!" Naruto exclaims, burning my only company with ease.
"You. lied. to. me. Just like…"
"What?" Jiraiya asks, stopping mid stroke through my hair.
I look up at my lover. "I know it sounds crazy, but I've seen it, Jiraiya."
"Orochimaru, that makes no sense."
"I know, but you believe me, yes? You're going to help me stop death, right?"
He sits up and stares at me for a while. "If that's the case, all the deaths would be in vain. I can't accept that."
He didn't want to listen! No one ever does! I stopped talking about it because I was looked at like I was crazy! I thought if I learned all the jutsu, and gained the power of Shiromaru, I would be able to save them. But even with all of the studying and experiments, I failed! I always fail!
I feel a soft touch against my face. I gasp, staring into my husband's eyes.
He wipes away my tears gently with his thumbs, pressing his forehead against mine, closing his eyes. "It's going to be okay. You're safe. I won't let anything happen to you or our children. I promise."
"But Boruto-"
"We'll find him, but let me take care of that. Will you get tested for me?"
"I… I have to…"
"You need help. I''m going to make sure you get it."
"Orochimaru-sensei…" I look over Naruto's shoulder as my old student walks over. She stops about a foot away. Naruto runs his fingers through my hair. "I knew there was something wrong when you were training me, before you forced me into having the Cursed Seal, but I… I didn't…! I thought you were so amazing and great! I didn't want to accept anything was wrong! But I… maybe if I…!"
Kabuto walks over and puts a hand on her shoulder. "It's easy to want to listen to Lord Orochimaru. He has charisma that draws you in. He took me in when I had no one. No home or identity. He gave me a purpose. It's why when he died, I couldn't go on. I had to continue his research, but then I realized I wasn't Lord Orochimaru, and I accepted he is flawed."
"Watching you be with Naruto, it's scary. It's difficult to see you as anything else but the man who tried to take over Sasuke's body, but you helped in the Fourth Shinobi War, and watching the two of you, I can see that you love Naruto as much as he loves you," Sakura says, walking over. She stops about five feet instead. "I know this is terrifying. I know you feel like no one cares about what you have to say, but we do. I'll do everything I can to help you, Orochimaru."
"I will as well. I shouldn't, but my wife loves and cares about you deeply. And Naruto married you. Though, I still can't figure out why. Even so, since you haven't done any human experiments and you helped in the war, you can't be all bad. And the fact you destroyed your home because you thought your family was in danger means you… well, you… do love…"
I look away. I almost sent him off to Reaper Hell.
"As I said before, I've sent a search party to look for Boruto, and as soon as he's found, we''ll let you know, but right now, we need to get you some help. And when you're thinking clearer, we need to talk."
I stare at them. Are they telling the truth? But they don't believe me! No one does! I'll prove it to them! I-
Naruto pulls me close. My neck becomes wet from his tears. "I love you. I love you so fucking much, Orochimaru!" he chokes, pulling me against him even more.
"N-Naruto."
"Please, let me take you to get help! I promise I'll stay with you the entire time!"
I close my eyes, relaxing into the embrace of my lover. Maybe I should… maybe they'll see the reapers. I need all the help I can get…
"O-Okay," I whisper, giving in.
Preview
Boruto
"Hmm. You've shrunk since the last time I saw you."