Authors' Note: Thanks for the reviews. We hope you enjoy this chapter. For any readers who have been keeping up, you get a double update today ;).
Chapter 21
Hm…so the fledglings had failed. Orochimaru had expected as much, preferring to send disposable minions after a woman like Mei. Though, perhaps he had underestimated the ancient vampiress. She'd proven to be a much more capable fighter than he anticipated. Not a single one of the fledglings had survived to report back.
No matter, Mei's existence had become merely an annoyance, nothing more. The woman may like to stick her nose into matters that did not concern her, but she was no fool. No doubt the Uchiha would be out for blood, and Mei Terumi knew better than to get in the middle of that, lest she court the wrath of the most magnificent clan to grace the world. She would remove herself from the crossfire and refrain from meddling further.
Still, the fact that the Uchiha had discovered him thanks to Mei's treachery was…inconvenient. Orochimaru had rather liked his home in Chicago, and having to pack up and move so suddenly was a waste of valuable time. Not that Orochimaru had any shortage of time, he merely preferred that every spare moment be productive. That was all. And such central locations with easy access to resources were few and far between.
Despite the setback, he had found ways to be productive again. Having retreated to one of his older haunts, he'd begun to plan again, and rather than waste time and resources on pursuing his gems when they were so cleverly and carefully hidden away, he had retrieved several of his most capable young projects. And what minor behavioural defects they held could be easily curbed by terrifying them into behaving. And sometimes not, for where was the value in wild cards if their wild nature was quashed entirely?
Alas that was simply the price he had to pay to acquire more…modern servants. At times like this, he did so miss having obedient servants at his beck and call at all hours of the day. Vampires were much more difficult to control than humans, where a simple compulsion would make them docile and compliant in mere moments.
How unfortunate it was that he'd lost his little songbird so many centuries ago. The boy had been a work of art, a truly beautiful masterpiece. Endlessly talented and easily molded once he learned the valuable lesson of obedience. With a voice and fingers like no other, his mere presence delighted the court and brightened any room Orochimaru saw fit to place him in. Just as he had been taught.
His last acquisitions held the same promise, and his disappointment at losing them was tempered only by the knowledge of just who had come to rescue them.
Jiushui, the sweet, quiet boy whose fingers played the most complex of melodies effortlessly. Whose beautiful face had enchanted every consort and concubine in the imperial harem. The boy that Obito had rescued from the prison cells a mere day before his execution.
For years, Orochimaru had asked himself what right Obito had to steal his prize. For it was at his feet that Jiushui should have learned what it meant to be a vampire. At his feet, Jiushui would have become the perfect Childe. Yet, it would not be, for Obito wormed his way into the court to claim Jiushui's corpse, tainting the boy with his own blood and burning out the power of Orochimaru's own.
No matter, the boy's bloodline was strong, and no doubt Jiushui could be molded right back into place, back into the perfect vampire Orochimaru knew he could be. Beautiful, talented, and endlessly dangerous to all but his master, whom he would serve faithfully and without question.
"Kabuto." Orochimaru licks his lips, his patience beginning to wane. "I know that you've been lurking in the shadows all evening. Did you acquire the information I requested regarding the author Jiushui Huang?"
"Perceptive as ever, my lord." Kabuto offers a polite smile as he pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose before setting a folder with several papers, including photos inside it. "I believed it was best to wait to approach you until you were less lost in your thoughts. Here is the information you requested."
"It seems our author is doing rather well for himself. Technically, he writes historical fiction but really it's more like a talented exercise in making a happier autobiography. His sales are impressive for the genre and he has established himself a lovely home base in Seattle. He also has a jeep that he's rather fond of."
Kabuto shoots him a rather self-satisfied smirk. "More interestingly, it seems that he's established himself on the fringes of his clan. Shisui prefers to be on his own or to stay with Obito and Kakashi upon occasion. He's also got exceptional taste in lovers. At a minimum he was previously sharing a bed with Lady Mei and given what I've learned about the events that took place at Itachi's introduction, I'm willing to bet their relationship involves a high degree of intimacy."
"So, little Jiushui has found himself a new lover…" Orochimaru taps his long fingers against the arm of his chair. "And he calls himself Shisui now, is that right?" Unless he was sorely mistaken and had forgotten much of his Japanese, the name meant…still water, or death water. How…interesting.
"It seems that way. Almost everyone is addressing him as Shisui, it seems only those who have an unpleasant relationship with him use his birth name." Kabuto tilts his head as if considering the matter. He was a faithful, talented servant. Though he lacked Jiushui's powerful bloodline, he was an impressive gem in his own right. "As I said, he's established himself on the fringes of the clan."
Kabuto then pulls out a picture of Shisui. He was wearing far more modern clothes and his hair was less curly than Orochimaru remembered, but he was still a sight to behold. One of the loveliest jewels he'd ever had the privilege to see. Perhaps it was only natural that Itachi had gravitated towards him. Oh well, soon enough he'd have three jewels back in his possession if he played his cards right.
"And while I don't have confirmation that they're lovers...all the signs do point to it." Kabuto pauses, there was just a hint of hesitation in his face. Likely, he was worried about Orochimaru's reaction. His silver haired assistant knew very well how protective Orochimaru was of his favoured jewels. "That, and if memory serves...I believe Itachi was seen kissing him on the night of his escape. For the longest time I thought it was just a clever ruse but..." Kabuto trails off after crafting the exquisite picture. If that was the case, he wasn't certain which vampire he envied more. Shisui or Itachi.
No matter, perhaps this was a boon. If Itachi and Shisui were truly so attached to one another, then it was unlikely they would allow the other out of their sights for long. And that…Orochimaru could turn to his advantage. "If Shisui has made his home in Seattle, then it stands to reason that the Uchiha are currently settled at their estate just outside of the city." They were certainly a clan that moved as a closely knit unit. "If that is the case, then going myself would be foolhardy at best. My face is known to the Uchiha, and no doubt I would have Madara himself nipping at my heels if I were to set foot in the state."
Thus, he would have to be far subtler than that, take an approach that they would not see coming. "Tell me, is my little kitsune still in Seattle with her friends, or has she moved on to other pastures?"
"Last I checked, she and her group were still in Seattle." Kabuto begins to pace and it wasn't difficult tell why. That particular unit was a double edge sword. They were borderline indestructible but also extremely volatile. "Are you certain you wish to use them? They're not exactly known for their discretion."
"It would be far less suspicious to use those three than to send Tayuya and the twins after them again." Orochimaru was well aware that it was Shisui who had compelled his servants into turning back when they had nearly caught Itachi and Sasuke during their escape. But he considered their loss more than worth it, for it revealed to him Shisui's true value. With Shisui in his hands again, Orochimaru could easily make Itachi and Sasuke compliant, perhaps even have their entire clan forget that the three children ever existed. "Call her. Ensure that she has current descriptions of the three young Uchiha, and impress on her that this is to be done as quietly as she can manage. If that means gagging her lover for the duration of the mission, then that's an acceptable cost."
"If I were her, I'd have him gagged 100% of the time." Kabuto snorts. It was rare that his composed servant was so...expressive with any form of distaste. "But I will see to it that it's done, My Lord."
"Excellent." Orochimaru presses the tips of his fingers together and smiles. Outside of his penthouse, he watches the nightly hustle and bustle of one of his favourite places in all the world. After all, it was here that he'd found the first of his jewels oh so long ago. It was unfortunate that humans had felt the need to spoil the ancient city with their modern buildings, alas, such was the nature of progress. Nothing would stop the winds of change from blowing the past away and ushering in the future.
Yet, it was those same winds that he knew would also blow his little musician back to him. He would not be letting the boy slip through his fingers again. "And Kabuto, see that my chambers in the palace are ready, and that the humans are compelled to keep visitors from the emperor's private palace." It would not do to receive his jewels in such a mundane, modern place like this. No, jewels from the Uchiha clan deserved nothing less than the best Orochimaru could offer. For surely there was nothing more magnificent than Shisui's childhood home.
"Of course, Lord Orochimaru. I'll see to making the arrangements for the retrieval team and that the servants are suitably briefed." Kabuto bows to the elder vampire before heading towards the door. He was nothing if not efficient and loyal. Two highly prized and rare commodities, Orochimaru had found.
As the door shuts, Orochimaru reaches for a laquered cherrywood box. He flicks open the clasp, and from it, retrieves a golden locket cast with the image of an ancient dragon. The clasp pops opens, revealing a single raven curl nestled within.
Orochimaru's eyes gleam as he runs his thumb over the magically preserved lock of hair, before snapping the locket shut once more. Perhaps, while the children played their game of chase, it would serve him to obtain the services of another witch. After all, it would do no good if the first of his jewels was foolish enough to fight him. What a waste that would be.
And he had just the witch in mind.
The car stops in a tiny village nestled into the mountains of Turkey. How quaint. Orochimaru opens the door and rises gracefully from his seat. The winding road that had brought him here had come to a rather abrupt end.
Through the trees sits a wooden cabin with a stream running alongside it, a water wheel, small windmills in the backyard, and solar panels sitting on the roof. It was everything an eccentric spiritist could want if they insisted on living 'off the grid.'
Orochimaru's lips curve into a smile as he strides up the path towards the house, only to pause as a strong prickling sensation overtakes him. A ward? Interesting…
A brief sensation of intense pain washes through his body. It would certainly have been enough to fell most young vampires, werewolves, perhaps even fey. However, he was no youngling, and he would not be made to kneel by this measly power.
He steps through the barrier and the sensation ceases, along with all sound, save for the bubbling of the stream and the whirring of the windmills and water wheel.
With a sly chuckle, Orochimaru approaches the door, but does not raise his hand to knock. "It's rather rude to set traps, Sasori. Is this how you treat all of your guests?"
"Guests implies that invited you." A man with blood-red hair appears seemingly out of nowhere surrounded by two human-sized puppets. He eyes Orochimaru with suspicion, wariness, and the smallest hint of curiosity. "From where I'm standing, you're trespassing. And we both know you're no lost tourist or else you wouldn't be standing, Orochimaru."
Orochimaru's lips curve into a smile. The man had hardly aged a day. "Really now, is this how you greet all old friends, Sasori? It's been fifteen years, and I felt like paying you a visit. I had no way to contact a man who eschews all forms of modern communication, so I simply had to come in person."
Sasori arches an eyebrow, appearing suitably unimpressed. It was one of the things that both impressed and annoyed him about the 'artist.' He couldn't be classified as a useful idiot, a loyal subject, or an enemy. Though he had the potential to become the last part should his paycheck not prove sufficient. "Friends? Has your longevity finally taken its toll on your memories? We weren't friends. You needed a job done and I was happy to take your money."
"Indeed you were, and I see that you've put it to good use." One didn't simply stumble on a home like this out in the middle of nowhere. Privacy was often as expensive as secrecy. Orochimaru glances inside, where he notes candlelight flickering within, and a strong smell of incense. Sasori must have been in the middle of some serious spellwork. "You've made quite an investment here, I'm impressed."
"I'm more interested in WHY you're here and your bank account than your pointless flattery." Sasori crosses his arms, reminding Orochimaru of a snake considering striking.
Bless the 'red head' for not being a complete moron, though. Sasori had to know his chances against a vampire of Orochimaru's age were slim at best even with the home field advantage. "I'm not one of your jewels or lapdogs. So out with it, if you came all the way here...you must want something big. Big enough that you couldn't purchase another witch closer to home to do it for you. So, for your sake I hope your pockets are as deep as they were back then."
"I think you'll find that my assets are more than to your satisfaction." Orochimaru hadn't worried about financial matters in centuries. "I have recently discovered the location of one of my lost jewels. And not so long ago, he was sent by adversaries of mine to steal two of my more recent acquisitions. I would like the three of them returned to my care."
"You're losing your touch. You lost not one but three of your favourites? It's not like you to be so careless." Sasori stares at him and Orochimaru could feel the witch appraising him. Likely trying to figure out exactly how much he could profit from this situation. "Well, for the right price I'm not adverse to playing fetch. Though I'll need the full story. Last I checked, you had a small army under your employment. What's so special about them that your lackeys can't handle this?"
"What makes these three truly special…" Orochimaru saw no harm in dangling a few bones. "Is that they are Uchiha. One is a newborn that I turned myself not long ago, one remains human, as he is not quite ready to be turned. The third…" And the most precious of all… "Is a jewel that I cut and polished myself centuries ago, but who was stolen by Obito Uchiha. His name is Shisui, and he holds the power to compel vampires."
"Are you suicidal? I'm not even a vampire but even I know it's foolish to court that clan's wrath." Sasori gives him a look that said in no uncertain terms exactly what he thought of Orochimaru's little request. "If you want my assistance, I'll need assurances this won't be traced back to me and you'll have to understand that if push comes to shove, I will leave you to the wolves."
He pauses for a moment. Orochimaru could only imagine what scenarios were running through the genius witch's mind. "And in that case, I want something far more precious than mere monetary profit. I'll find a way to turn your idiocy into a masterpiece of art."
"Oh?" Sasori had nerve, Orochimaru would give him that. And it wasn't as if he couldn't snap the witch's neck if Sasori truly displeased him. But for now, Sasori was worth far more alive to him than dead. "And what is it that you desire, exactly?"
Sasori's clever gaze narrows, a hint a genius flickering in those amber eyes. "Study materials, and a safe, private place to conduct research and experiments."
"Study materials?" Orochimaru raises an eyebrow. Perhaps he had underestimated the witch after all. He could have asked for a hefty sum, enough to buy whatever mundane or magical research tools he wanted. Yet…he specified the materials instead. That implied that these materials were not easy to obtain. Curious… "And what, pray tell, do you plan on studying?"
"The immortality of vampires." Sasori crosses his arms, his expression resolute, his price set. "I find the concept of preserving a body in one state for eternity intriguing, despite its obvious drawbacks. I want access to research subjects so that I might…better understand the nature of a vampire's longevity."
Ah, so that was it. The witch wanted to devise a way to recreate immortality without those things that made being a vampire…inconvenient. At least for some. "Very well." Orochimaru could fulfill such a request easily enough. "You will have all of the subjects your heart desires. I will have Kabuto arrange a steady supply for you, as well as a place to conduct your research, if that suits you."
"And where would this research facility be located?" Suspicion shimmers in Sasori's otherwise cold, dead eyes. "You know that I prefer my peace and quiet."
"Not to worry, you will have all of the peace and quiet your heart desires." Orochimaru could easily promise that much. "Kabuto is preparing one of the old imperial palaces as we speak. When we arrive in Beijing, you may have an entire wing to yourself, if that is what you desire."
After a moment of silence, Sasori nods. "Very well. But know this. If your Uchiha fixation gets us caught, I will disappear and leave you to take the fall alone. I've agreed to provide a service to you, not be one of your meat shields if this goes belly-up. Understood?"
"Yes, yes, of course. Self-preservation above all." Orochimaru expected no less. A genius he might be, but Sasori was no noble protector. The witch was in it for himself, as so many were. And Orochimaru understood and admired that sort of reliability and predictability. After all, it wouldn't do any good to hire someone likely to die before services were rendered. Sasori knew his magic, and best of all, the man knew how to survive, no matter what the cost.
This would be a most fruitful partnership indeed.