Chapter 12: A Night Wanderer

"I love the silent hour of night,

For blissful dreams may then arise,

Revealing to my charmed sight

What may not bless my waking eyes."

― Anne Brontë, Best Poems of the Brontë Sisters

Hiashi & Hinata

3 months past in a blur being on the road with Father. The long days of the sun beating on her back until evening burning her skin a raw pinkish-red slowly give way to shorter days and colder nights, nightfall slipping upon them faster and faster with each passing day.

She's picked up enough to blend her Gentle Fist with fire and the beginning stages of lightning as well, use her senses of hearing and smell during their blindfold exercises to defend herself before his strikes can fully incapacitate her.

Mid-October though inevitably reminds her of Naruto, that his 14th birthday has already come and gone, that her own birthday will soon arrive come winter.

'It's already been a year since he found out I'm his red thread.' She realizes.

Weeks quickly turned into months since she felt the twinge of her red thread due to their distance until just days ago when her fingers pulsed with that same fiery hot pain she gained when Naruto had been fighting Gaara in the hospital.

She'd followed her thread only to come upon a ravine, fauna shades of dark greens clinging to jagged rocks, autumn foliage falling along a crackling blue-brown river. Her fingers brush along snapped branches, where once smooth stones have been crushed.

'They were here.' She knows.

And now like a slow rising flame her her thread is guiding her to head deeper into the forests on the opposite side, to crisscross against riverbanks and sloping basins.

"If you must go out there to check, then I'm coming with you." Hiashi decides at seeing how far his eldest's mind is wandering, patting a hand to her shoulder he isn't sure she notices.

Because it feels like his words are falling on deaf ears, Hinata's gaze casted towards the center square of the sleepy village where they'll be residing later on tonight. The Land of Birds is supposed to be a lesser known country known for the mix of tropical and migratory birds that visit the region throughout the seasons, particularly the grey-brown swallows and gold-tailed finches that head here from cooler climates.

There's nothing he can see that should be of particular note to Hinata from the passing shinobi and civilian, but their eyes will always be the giveaway of who they are whenever one stares at their face for a second too long, takes note of Hinata's headband knowing where they come from.

Hinata's fingers twitch at her sides, clenching them together before Hiashi can hopefully fully notice.

Her stomach tumbles, trying and probably failing to keep her face neutral, to not give away the flutter of emotions rushing through her.

'He's here; Naruto is close by.' Her heart skitters with desire only tampered by the narrowing of Hiashi's eyes.

He finally takes note of her hands curled together turning a shade of reddish-white and sighs.

"Which way?" He asks.

"What?" Hinata questions, Hiashi gesturing with his head in the direction Hinata was just looking in.

"Which way will lead us to Naruto? You won't be able to focus on your training if he's this close by." He clarifies, tinge of impatience in his voice.

Hinata feels her cheeks warm, pointing northward.

"I...I don't want to interrupt him if he's in the midst of training with Lord Jiraiya." She regards as they move under brush and vines.

Hiashi scoffs. That pervert of a man doesn't deserve such a revered title.

Hinata clenches her teeth as the ground below them becomes hot, seeming to be boiled alive the closer they move in. The earth gets upended and uneven, grass below seemingly burned away to ash.

Hiashi moves ahead of her, activating his byakugan.

He blows out a breath, scowling.

"This is why I was worried about him being your red thread; it's too dangerous for you." He grumbles making Hinata activate her byakugan as well.

Jiraiya and Naruto are indeed a good couple of meters up ahead, surrounding by a field that's been decimated.

"Alright, we've managed to get a hold of One Tail and Two Tails now. I think we're ready to unleash a bit more chakra!" Jiraiya decides.

Gerotora shakes his head vehemently, deep frown marring his face.

"Look what being Two Tails did to this landscape Jiraiya! He's nowhere near ready and you know it! Stop it before he goes on a rampage and causes innocent bystanders to get inadvertently involved!" He snaps.

Naruto blanches, looks to Jiraiya silently for an answer. His breathing is harsh, tears flowing across his favorite orange jacket and pants.

Jiraiya grins, pays no mind to the harshness of the Toad's words. "Time's a wasting Gerotora! We have to try!"

His insistence gets him a scoff and curse under his breath, Gerotora reluctantly following his orders.

Hinata feels her fingers throb, whole body ache in alarm.

'No, something's wrong about this.'

She ignores Hiashi's warning to stay back, feet moving her forward until the pair come properly into view.

And that's when the Nine Tails strikes.

Naruto's entire figure takes on a red and black cloak, four tails sprouting out from his body instantly. An animalistic roar shatters at the remaining trees and rocks nearby, ground sinking underneath him, scarlet eyes piercing on Jiraiya.

"Naruto, stay in control! You can do this!" Jiraiya encourages him.

He races forward in response, elongated nails reaching for his chest.

Jiraiya moves out of the way before the attack can land, swish of his tails managing to nick the side of his chest and legs.

A gush of blood runs out, scent seeming to lure Naruto forward to pounce.

"I knew I was right to worry, the beast is taking over!" Gerotora scoffs.

His eyes shift in noticing Hinata hovering overhead, not sure what she plans to try and do seeing the sparks of lightning at her fingertips.

"Naruto, don't do this!" She yells out.

"Who's the girl coming in? She needs to stay back!" He grunts.

Jiraiya briefly follows his gaze to see Hinata before moving in to reseal Naruto's chakra as he prepares to strike him again, gritting his teeth through the pain as he digs a hole into his stomach, sends him a warped grin of amusement before the cloak finally starts to fade.

"...Pervy Sage?" Naruto mutters as the red of his eyes melts back to blue. His skin is littered with blisters, red angry welts that cling like a second skin.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll...I'll let that name slide just this once." Jiraiya breaths out feeling his vision starts to fade.

Naruto takes in his surroundings, swears he sees Hinata approaching up behind them before everything goes black as well.

Hours later under moonlight Hiashi regards the duo with an expression Hinata can't read despite his helping get them medical attention, pursing her lips when his glare turns her way. Bandages cover Jiraiya and Naruto's bodies from head to toe, she wonders how long they'll both be out, if Naruto will remember her presence here...

The silver light of the moon gets blotted out by the clouds, plunging them into darkness. Hinata turns on the lamp light bringing an amber glow to the room, fidgets pondering when Dr. Tashigawa will return.

'Relax. Naruto heals fast. This is a 5 bedroom inn/clinic and he's not the only patient he has.' She recalls.

They're lucky both Jiraiya and Naruto weren't turned away based on the extent of their injuries to go to a bigger village with more resources than here.

"Foolish. That's how you become whenever you're near this boy Hinata. We're leaving as soon as the doctor returns back in; say your goodbyes." Hiashi concludes icily as he stands and Hinata can't find it in her to really argue knowing how reckless she's been these last few hours.

"I wasn't-" Hinata starts before he can go on, but Hiashi holds up his hand.

"I'm not arguing with you on this Hinata." He interrupts.

Her gaze hardens then like stone, matching his own so fast to his brief surprise before she looks away quickly.

"I was just going to say Naruto would never try to hurt us, hurt me." She murmurs.

Hiashi blows out a breath, anger slightly abated.

"He can't control that beast and you know it." He replies, taking his leave.

As soon as Hiashi is far enough away, Jiraiya opens his eyes.

"I get the feeling your Dad doesn't like me very much. Insults me worse than the Kid over my writing and manner of research. I definitely am not a 'gross old man with nothing better to do with my time'! Also tell him when you get a chance that I don't touch any of the woman I look at...unless they ask me that is!" He mentions.

Hinata manages a watery smile, if he can make such jokes he can't be feeling so awful.

Her gaze falls back to Naruto still deep asleep from the mix of pain medicine and antibiotics, fingers brushing at his cheek.

"Father is right, I shouldn't have been there. I can't...when Naruto reaches that state I don't know if I can reach him." She whispers.

Jiraiya shakes his head, manages to turn his head just slightly in spite of the pain.

"Oi, don't beat yourself up over it! You were merely going where your red thread guided you, feeling part of the effect of the Nine Tail's power after all and couldn't help yourself."

Hinata clasps Naruto's hand with her own, leans in tapping their foreheads gently.

"Hinata?" He croaks out softly, though his eyes remain shut, features tight and pinched together and before Hinata can try some way to ease his pain one of the nurses Amika returns back in providing another course of pain medication through his IV.

Naruto's features relax a minute later, Dr. Tashigawa stepping in.

"Your Father is waiting for you at the entrance." He mentions as he overlooks both Jiraiya and Naruto's vitals, orders Amika to do a dressing change to the wounds on their legs.

Hinata nods, stepping away though not before wrapping a purple ribbon around Naruto's wrist. A memento to know he didn't just imagine her presence here.

'I'm sorry I can't stay until you wake up.'

Sakura

'Okay, the swelling has moved from a sharp crimson to light purple.' Sakura notes absently, restraining the urge to itch at her hand.

'Stupid wasps! No, don't think like that Sakura!' She reminds herself.

It's only been a few days, she can't give up now.

The two wasps Shibi entrusted her with she aptly dubbed Ryoja (the male) and Rumi (the female) have been buzzing angrily at her sides for the past week, sensing perhaps how jumbled her thoughts have been as of late, balancing feeding them and reserving chakra for procedures, unsure to even trust in her...

It doesn't surprise her, she's not Shino's red thread, her family has had no previous ties to the Aburame clan.

They're taking a chance on her, Shibi having injected into her shoulder a specialized pheromone that's supposed to make Ryoja and Rumi more comfortable around her (that she hardly thinks is working), but also as a way she knows to monitor her, to make sure she doesn't expose the clan's secrets to anyone else.

The shot has left a tiny pinprick of a tattoo that forms into the Aburame clan's symbol, a black spider that reminds her of her choice everyday.

"My, that's quite the sting Sakura! How did you get such a wound? Make sure to alternate putting ice and hot towels on that!" Mrs. Hayami Okazaki warns, snapping her out of her thoughts.

She tacks on a smile, focuses back on cleaning up her stitches. She's one of there many patients still recovering from injuries sustained during Konoha's invasion, her right arm having been caught under the debris of her home split open.

After weeks of operations, rehab, and learning to use her non-dominant hand, she's soon going to just need to follow up at the connected outpatient center.

"Oh, just spending too long in the nearby forests not paying attention to the nearby wasp nests when I'm collecting herbs and plants. Thank you! I'll keep that in mind once I get off shift." Sakura chimes out.

Hayami pats at her hand, steel-blue eyes warming. "Good! My sister Chinami was telling me the other day at the market that you've been spending some of your off hours training with the Aburame clan? Wouldn't be my first choice, but good for you dear! No need to dwell on that Uchiha boy, red thread or not!"

Sakura swallows, feels her grin twitch.

She hasn't cut her red thread, doesn't plan to.

Because despite Sasuke's defection, he hasn't cut their link, perhaps if only because of Orochimaru's dampening effect on it and the thread being the farthest thing from his mind...

The rest of her shift is spent checking in on the patients scheduled for routine surgery (mostly gallbladder, tonsils, and appendix removals), checking on her pneumonia and stroke patients in the intensive care unit, and following up with Lady Tsunade on how many patients are still awaiting a bed in emergency room.

By the time she gets off her hands and back feel comfortably sore, stretching taking in the streaks of pinks and orange of the sunset's final brushes against the sky. The night markets are just beginning to open up with the flicker of the streetlights coming on, smell of yakisoba noodles, gyoza, and takoyaki driving her forward.

'I should only buy one snack and go. Mom will instantly smell the oil and spices on me if I get too much.' Sakura lingers, skirting pass vendors who offer her samples of grilled tempura to bowls of udon noodles.

"Ah, Sakura! Come try our yakisoba veggie mix! It's on the house for helping take care of my gout flare up last month!" Mr. Nagano calls out to her from the crowds, Sakura stepping forward only to feel a hand tug her backwards.

Ino.

Cerulean eyes peer down at her wasp sting, narrow in concern.

"Geez Sakura, you're lucky the wasp didn't land on your forehead or it would be twice as big as it is now!" She remarks.

Sakura quickly retracts her hand back, curling it to her side. She should've just kept it wrapped up, but then that would've just invited more questions on how she injured herself. It's not like she can say it's because Ryuji refuses to listen to her commands, stings her when she least expects it.

"Thanks Pig, just what I wanted to hear to end off my night!" She replies dryly and Ino grins, gently grabbing her hand back.

"Well lucky for you, I have some creams that will help take care of all that swelling and pain! Trust me, I had to buy hydrocortisone cream practically every week from the pharmacy on top of aloe vera ointment during the summer! We have way too many mosquitoes that love to come out after a good rainstorm, little bloodsuckers would get me from head to toe while practice techniques at the training grounds."

Sakura smiles, accepting as she produces a vial from her pocket.

"I swear you were expecting me." She jokes and Ino nods, guiding them forward through a mix of stalls, grabbing her the promised yakisoba bun from Mr. Nagano before weaving them to the drinks section.

"You have a routine, we all do. You like to visit the night markets on Thursdays and Mondays because that's when they usually restock your favorite mochi and have the latest fish caught from the middle of the week you can practice on or bring home to your Mom to cook." Ino explains.

Sakura blinks. Surely she isn't that predictable, though she can't find any errors in Ino's statement.

"I've been practicing more with my Mind-Transfer Jutsu. You know, studying the regulars that come to places like this to gather information, make sure nobody is here for nefarious purposes. It's kind of boring, but Dad says it will help when it comes to larger scale missions I suppose. I can't really complain what with Shikamaru and Choji both away on the Retrieval Mission." Ino goes on at Sakura's perplexed look.

Sakura's shoulders droop, knocking their shoulders. "I know what you mean, I've been picking up extra shifts some weeks at the hospital just to get as much as experience as I can seeing a variety of cases. And when I'm not there I'm at the library or..." She trails off, wondering if she should mention the late afternoons to evenings she spends with the Aburame clan.

Is she even allowed to talk about that?

Ino fills in the silence with a wave of her hand. "Don't know why you picked the Aburame clan, but I'm glad they're willing to pass along some of their techniques. However...do you think that will be enough to find Sasuke?"

'Yes. No. I don't know, not with how I currently am.' Sakura sighs, scraping her feet against the cobblestone, brings up clumps of gravel.

"Maybe. I mean, I'm still on the basics and they don't trust me fully yet of course so they marked me. The goal is for the two wasps they gave me: Ryuji and Rumi to become comfortable enough with me as their host and mate giving way to hundreds of their children and so forth going to and from my body."

Ino scrunches up her face. "That honestly sounds...very horrifying!"

Sakura snickers and Ino can't help but laugh as well as they joke over the habits of insects compared to people.

"Yeah, but you know me. I don't want to forever be staring at Sasuke and Naruto's backs as they get stronger. They both have the benefits of coming from noble/prominent clans, have unique abilities that make them powerhouses." Sakura regards as she takes in the sky above.

A stream of stars shines in the distance over the mountains, winking yellow-white dots.

Ino hums, nodding her understanding.

Now that she thinks about it, Sakura is the only one from their graduating class who comes from a civilian family, her parents and family line have little to no shinobi history as far as she knows.

"When you get a good break from work and training, think you can help me do a look-up/search of my red thread?" Ino asks.

Sakura nods, straightening up. "Sure, but why so sudden?"

She thought for sure that Ino said her match was somewhere far away, in perhaps another nation, unless...

Ino sends her a nervous grin, holds up her index finger that holds a thread only visible to her. "Lately, it seems like he's moving closer to Konoha, my thread's been brighter than normal. I don't know what to make of it, it could mean he's coming here to visit Konoha or maybe to find me! I just hope he's able to read my feelings whenever I'm angry or upset, to make me smile and laugh, and listen to all my concerns and dreams. Oh, and it will help if he's a looker too!"

Sakura chuckles at her list of wants, so similar once to her own. "I figured his looks would be higher up on your scale."

'I wonder if Sasuke even still looks the same. It's been over half a year now since he left and if Orochimaru was able to dampen his red thread's effect, who knows what else he could've pumped into his body?' She bites her lip.

Ino smirks as another thought comes to her, nudging Sakura to regain her attention.

"So...what do the Aburame men look like underneath those long jackets of theirs?" She jests.

Sakura rolls her eyes, grinning.

"I don't know, but trust me you'll be the first to know if they're hiding a six-pack or something!"

Ino nods, pleased. "Good, you better!"

Naruto

Everything hurts before he even opens his eyes.

"You awake Kid?" Jiraiya asks from somewhere to his right, words sounding blurred together while trying to ignore the pulsing of every major joint of his throbbing all at once.

Pale sunlight comes in through the window beside him, wincing as he opens his eyes slowly.

He has a cottony taste in his mouth, heavy smell of cleaning products and antibiotics in the air.

How long has he been out? Hours? Days?

Trying to think back makes his head spin, bile burning at the back of his throat.

But then the flicker of a memory comes through, pearl orbs wide in worry, a flutter of violet hair...

'Naruto, don't do this!'

Hinata.

Naruto sits up in alarm, gazes down to a purple ribbon he's seen Hinata use when bundling herbs from the forests or for flower pressing.

"Hinata! Where is she is?" He exclaims, gazing around searching for her presence. He concentrates down to his index finger, sees that wherever she's gone is already miles away...

Jiraiya sits up halfheartedly, grunting at the effort.

"Whoa, relax Kid! She was here 4 days ago, her Father didn't want her to stick around. Can't say I really blame him or don't see his point of view since they both witnessed you losing control of the Nine Tails."

Naruto stiffens. He hasn't even had a chance to properly show off his skills/manners to the Hyuga patriarch, show that he isn't like all the rumors that circulate him...

"Why didn't you try to stop him, you know?!" He bemoans, annoyance not veiled enough for Jiraiya to arch a brow.

He holds up his bandaged arm, peeks of bruised and burnt along the edges.

"Really? I'm not exactly in top condition to go after a man who can paralyze me even more than how I currently am!" Jiraiya scoffs.

Naruto sighs, looking away. He's right; this is his fault.

"I'm sorry-" He begins only for Jiraiya to hold up a hand.

"Nuh, uh! None of that apologizing now! I'm the one that wanted to push bringing out more of the Nine Tails power; lesson learned. Anyways, there's other things we can practice on. More use of your clan's sealing techniques and other wind-related techniques outside of the rasengan." He explains.

At Naruto's continued despondent look, he goes on.

"Come on Kid, stop looking so gloomy! Having Hinata around was going to be a distraction to you anyways! It's like her Old Man said, being near your red thread is hazardous. You can't help but feel what the other is feeling the closer you are to each other, physically and emotionally."

Naruto gazes up then, reddening. "I'm sure Hinata's Dad didn't say all that, you know!"

Before Jiraiya can retort Amika returns back in, sends the pair a grin seeing them both awake.

"Great, you're both up! Looks like Dr. Tashigawa wants to start some physical therapy today! You've both been lying in bed for too long now and it's nice weather out if one of you wants to take a walk around the garden?" She suggests.

Jiraiya immediately raises his hand, giddy smile rising up.

"I'm ready Amika! These legs of mine could do 5, no 10 laps around the garden and village if need be with you!" He beams.

Amika giggles at his enthusiasm, promising she'll be right back with some socks and shoes for him.

Naruto fixes a glare on him, Jiraiya pretending not to notice.

"...So it's okay for you to flirt with women Pervy-Sage, but I can't be around my own red thread match?" He asks.

Jiraiya's grin merely widens. "Hey now, I'm not the one undergoing strict training, gotta follow the rules Kid! Plus, I'm not tied to any women so I'm free to do as I please!"

Naruto falls back against his pillows as Jiraiya maneuvers himself to sit on the side of his bed. He can feel his stare as he gets ready, considers to himself what he should do for the rest of the day.

"Don't lay in bed all day Naruto, don't want your muscles getting all soft." Jiraiya warns as Amika returns with a walker, shoes, and gait belt.

He waits until he hears the patter of their footsteps disappear down the hall before scooting himself out of bed, heading for the rooftop.

Pervy-Sage is right, he really can't lay in bed all day.

'I have to get stronger, to take down Sasuke if worst comes to worst, to show Hinata's family I'm not under the Nine Tail's control.' Naruto decides, grabbing for the set of dumbbells buried somewhere within their travel gear.

Hours later he again returns to the rooftop under the guise of night while Jiraiya is deep asleep (he hopes), saunters past yellow evening primroses and white night-blooming jasmine that glow in darkness of the garden.

He studies Hinata's ribbon again after a round of push-ups, considers if she left any secret meaning in it turning it over and over.

Naruto pauses, finally notes a faint etching of black ink at the very end of the cloth he didn't notice the first time and smiles, reading it to himself.

'Keep going.'

Temari

The trail of copper stained grass and broken bones of both animals and birds tells her they're going in the right direction. She sniffs the air, scent of blood mixing with some type of smoky residue that lingers in every direction.

Fog resides over much of the forest, coming in late sometime after midnight and staying now into the early morning hours; a warm blanket of gray that goes on for miles, buries the rise of the milky blue dawn.

A snow owl hoots from somewhere to her left before disappearing into the deeper parts of the woods, crickets from overnight huddle back into the thickness of the mud below or wet bark of the trees as equally restless as her to get this over with and return back to the familiar deserts of Suna.

And from this knot of feelings being near her red thread causes.

"Hey, so what's the plan for dealing with the rest of these bodyguards Shikamaru? Though we have the advantage in numbers, didn't you say these guys were like jonin-level in their abilities?" Kiba asks from up ahead.

Temari perks her ears, ready as well to hear Shikamaru's full plan.

"You're right, they're Orochimaru's best soldiers so we can't take them for granted. They're 5 of us to their 2, well 3 if you count the fact that Sakon and Ukon are two different people. I'm sure though we should be able to handle them by using their weaknesses against us. Tayuya operates by using her flute to make sound based genjutsu, wind can easily push the sound away before it gets close." Shikamaru starts.

Temari gives a short nod, not missing the way his eyes flicker to her for that.

"As for Sakon and Ukon, I don't know too much about them unfortunately, but Lady Tsunade and the other jonin who saw them in action during the invasion stated they specialize in speed and taijutsu, that Ukon is normally not the one who leads." He finishes.

Shikamaru gazes to Neji and Kiba then. "Neji, your Gentle Fist could be utilized to slow them down and Kiba can come in with his Wolf Fang technique. However, you'll both need to be wary of whatever abilities they gain with their cursed seals and how they operate when splitting off from each other."

Neji nods his understanding while Kiba crosses his arms thoughtfully, Akamaru barking his concern.

"Yeah, I agree buddy. Our Wolf Fang over Fang is strong, but it really strains our body. I've practiced enough with my Mom and Sis though to know I can do it a couple of times before I exhaust my chakra."

"You'll be fine, Neji shutting down their chakra points in time will help on top of using any nature techniques of fire, earth, or water if need be." Temari adds in.

Kiba blinks in surprise as if forgetting for a moment she was even here and Temari restrains a scowl not to deck him at his out loud wondering why she's apparently suddenly being so nice.

'I'm always nice!' She grits her teeth, wearing on her patience not to retort back that he's spent a majority of this assignment so far insulting opponents they've yet to face.

Choji squirms as Shikamaru finally looks to him, sends him a comforting grin.

"You're stronger than you realize Choji; don't forget that. You'll be playing a role in the trap we create for Tayuya." Shikamaru explains.

His fingers tremble before he blows out a breath, nodding.

And Temari watches silently as he clutches at a set of colored food pills.

'That's right, his clan is known for body expansion jutsus, turning calories into chakra and energy.' She reminds herself.

"How are we going to know when we've found them? Don't they have multiple hideout locations?" Choji questions.

Shikamaru nods, draws out his map from his vest pocket.

"Based on eyewitness reports and updates from undercover shinobi, his remaining bodyguards have been taking turns patrolling Orochimaru's latest hideout in Otogakure while the other collects...well the bodies for him from the nearby regions."

Temari clicks her tongue. Goosebumps light her skin at the flash of a memory of being told of her Father's death. His corpse found discarded in the desert covered with flies, still in his Kazekage garbs...

Neji steps forward, byakugan activated.

"We're close to the border of the Land of Hot Water, up ahead about 50 meters I'm picking up a cluster of people that could be a skirmish or something else."

He glances to Kiba who grins, cracking his knuckles.

"Way ahead of you! Let's do this!" He chimes out, Akamaru barking his agreement.

They get one last directive from Shikamaru to study the twin's pattern of fighting as much as they can before engaging, the pair disappearing into the stream of fog a moment later.

The trees beside them start to rumble, Temari turning her head just slightly before unsheathing her fan.

'That noise, it sounding like ice crackling.' She unleashes a burst of wind, crackling disappearing giving them a brief clear view of the forestry.

"What is it?" Shikamaru questions, but Temari quickly hushes him, points to a branch on the opposite side.

He follows her gaze before nodding, confirming he sees it as well.

"Um I'm sorry, but what are we looking at here?" Choji asks, squinting his eyes.

All he sees are the greens and browns of the bark and leaves.

"Take a look at that branch to your left Choji. It's layered in a patch of snow and ice when we're closer to the land known for Hot Water and Steam. It means somebody close by to us just came from the Land of Snow. Knows we're here." Shikamaru answers.

Tayuya.

Temari merely grins, eyes glittering with excitement.

Shikamaru pats at her shoulder to regain her attention, catching her eye to ensure none of them get ahead of themselves. Her fingers pulse sensing his concern knowing how little they know of the enemy. But that's fine, she's faced far worse than these supposed 'elite bodyguards'. Temari nods, gazing to Choji who seems to have gained his resolve from Shikamaru's pep talk.

They're all ready then.

'This girl's in for a rude awakening if she thinks her flute can overcome my fan.'

Sasuke, Kimimaro & Orochimaru

"How is he?" Orochimaru asks hoarsely as he sits himself up in bed.

A cough wraps around his throat robbing his voice and breath once again before Kabuto can inquire on who he's referring to, spitting up sputum and blood he doesn't bother to hide. This body grows weaker with each passing day, all his best toxins and medicines only quell the pain for a few hours before it strikes him again like a burst of heat and lightning all at once.

Kabuto gazes him over, purses his lips at the way Orochimaru clutches at his chest collecting himself, beads of sweat running down his pale cheeks.

None of the stolen hearts lasted more than a few weeks, a month at the longest from taking the heart of a 20-something fisherman. The morgue in the basement has become putrid, smell of dying and rotten flesh starting to leak into other areas of the hideout.

Orochimaru grips at his sheets before tossing them aside, curses under his breath as the seal's marks burn. Black swirling tattoos he once gave to others now mar his own skin in revenge.

'Damn you Hiruzen! Still messing with me even from beyond the grave!'

"I'm afraid not good. Kimimaro's unique body structure makes it hard for me to determine the extent of his illness. His heart isn't feasible to take at this point, with Sasuke however you can-" Kabuto mentions.

Kimimaro turns away, tuning out the rest of their conversation.

Not even his heart, the organs that can keep Master Orochimaru living on after his death are worth anything to him now...

'Why would he want your pathetic body now? This illness ravages you down to even the bones he once revered you for.' His darkest thoughts cut in.

He patters silently down the hall only to bump into Jugo who sends him a tight grin.

"I don't think he means it. You're all Lord Orochimaru talked about for months after all, that you were the sole survivor of your clan for a reason. It's your body that will give him his strength back." He promises, gives him false hope.

Kimimaro pats at his shoulder, shaking his head.

They both know that isn't true.

Because all Orochimaru desires now is Sasuke; his replacement.

He can't find it himself to be too envious of the Uchiha, of how he captivates his Master's attention they way he used to. The kekkai genkai of his clan can't compare to all that the sharingan can do for Orochimaru and his goals.

Still, where does that leave him? If his organs aren't wanted, them what else can he do?

He considers the Sound Four then, or really who remains of the group seeing as Jirobu and Kidomaru went and got themselves killed.

'I doubt Tayuya or Sakon and Ukon and can finish the job of those retrieval teams heading our way.' He sighs.

He heads for the barracks, pausing seeing a shadow cross against the moonlight, onyx hair highlighted a silver-blue.

Sasuke.

He doesn't notice him yet, dark eyes instead on his fingers, straightening and flexing them in annoyance.

Kimimaro notes it, he's seen that finger flexing before in others during his past strolls around villages and markets.

"What's wrong with that man's hand?" Kimimaro asks, gesturing with his head to a man who abruptly stops hammering at his sign, grunting like he broke it.

Did he have an ability like his? Were his bones and muscles crackling about to break out of his skin?

"Missus must be busy out hunting with the others again, huh Eiji?" His partner jokes and Eiji nods, clicking his tongue.

Orochimaru waves it off, bored at even have to seemingly explain it.

"It's his red thread, that's all. Their connection makes them each feel a bit of each other's pain or feelings. A weakness."

Kimimaro straightens, so this is the one thing he has over him. Sasuke's expression and current behavior matches the same as that man from the day when they passed through the market: a begrudging acknowledgment of his ties to someone else.

Interesting.

Orochimaru had often gone over their similarities these last couple of months of them stuck training together, learning each other's strengths, weaknesses, and pasts. They both come from long dead clans both infamous for causing rifts with others to outright wars/skirmishes, are quiet in comparison to their louder, more boastful peers, barely pay Kabuto any attention when he voices his disapproval either of their behavior or level of respect towards him...

But unlike him, Sasuke still has connections, connections no matter how much Orochimaru has weakened he couldn't fully break.

He draws forth his humerus bone, dance of pure white blade bones erupting forth at his ready, all long enough to strike him in those precious eyes.

Master Orochimaru may dislike this instigating, but he has to prove he's still worthy.

Sasuke Uchiha has a red thread he repeats the mantra as he steps forward, draws his attention as his eyes turn a blood red.

'And a red thread is a weakness.'

-x-

I'm enjoying the challenge of changing up fight scenes from canon, difficult as it at making sure things are still within the realm of possibility. Naruto and Hinata missed each other this time, but they'll find their way back to each other! Let me know your thoughts as always!

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