And He Bled Crimson
By: Lost Nin
Disclaimer: There's no way in the world I can ever be as creative as Masahi Kishimoto, so in other words.... not mine in any way shape or form.
A.N. My gosh I can't believe the stoke of bad luck I have had lately. First off I swear my computer has a mind of its own and hates me. I lost everything I had written, after stupidly not backing it up on my other drive, just so I could upgrade my video card which caused my power supply to fry. I of course had to start over :(

Thank you to everyone who reviewed the first chapter.... all I can say is wow. I'm glad you all really enjoyed it.

To sTaR SNipEr, I don't mind at all if you would like to post my fic on your site. Thanks for asking.

Chapter 2

The early October air bit at the young Uchiha's skin causing him to run his hands over his bare arms trying to warm them. He quietly cursed himself for not bringing any provisions along before he left Konoha. He lowered his head and closed his eyes. He did the right thing, leaving the village after what he did. Although at first he had no idea where to go, he now found himself just outside the border of Sound Country.

He knew what led him here, the rumor he had overheard a few months back about Orochimaru, one that he would never have believed if he hadn't heard it right from the Fifths mouth. He had the ability to bring the dead back to life. A sacrifice would have to be made, a body required for the dead to occupy. But that was something that could easily be arranged.

He knew he wasn't thinking rationally, after all why would the S-class criminal be willing to bring the young blonde back to life. The older man had tired to kill Naruto before. Wouldn't he be thrilled that Naruto was gone? Would Orochimaru laugh in his face with that cynical laugh of his then turn down his demand?

'No.' Sasuke shook his head. He was sure he wouldn't, not with the offer he was going to tempt the man with.

Sasuke's eyes snapped open, then darted at the tree line around him. He could hear the dry leaves of autumn rustling, presumably Sound nins passing by. He concealed himself further in the green of the pine he occupied once spotting a team of scouts.

After passing him without notice, Sasuke pursued the team keeping his distance, but never loosing sight of them. There was just enough daylight now for him to easily follow the team, hoping they would lead him to the location of the Sound village.

A few hours later he finally came to a stop, staring in awe at the small town that lay in shambles before him. This was the so call 'Great Village of Sound'? It looked like the East side of Konoha after Orochimaru had attacked during the Chuunin exam. A few buildings lay in heaping piles of rubble, what were standing were run down and looked as though they would collapse at any time.

There was not a single civilian anywhere to be seen, but there were plenty of Sound Nins upon the streets. It seemed as though they had swept through this village, taking it as their base of operation and eradicating those who had lived here at one time. A familiar crashing pain took hold of Sasuke's heart. An entire village, clansman, were obliterate because of one man.

He took a step back, had he made a mistake in coming here? Before he had time to backtrack a familiar presence appeared behind him. Sasuke whipped around, withdrawing his kunai and prepared for an attack. He glared at the gray haired man before him. "Kabuto."

"Hello Sasuke-kun. Welcome to the Village of Sound."

He walked quietly behind the spy that had infiltrated the Leaf for years, heading to where he assumed the leader of the Sound was located. His dark eyes looked at those who lined the street to get a look at him. A few Nin's smirked pleasingly at him, others glared, laughed, or walked away from the commotion.

Kabuto came to a stop, Sasuke's attention returned to the man with the glasses. "Orochimaru will be pleased that you have finally come."

"I didn't come here for him." Sasuke snapped back. He didn't want them to think he was there to achieve the power they were so sure he would seek them for one of these days.

Kabuto smiled before chuckling. "Then why else would you be here, Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke's hands clenched in anger, he so badly wanted to smash the traitors face in. "An offer was made to the Hokage of my village a few years back, I want the same deal. Only I have something that I will give him in return."

Kabuto's face quickly became serious. "So you know of that? What are you willing to give for such a forbidden thing? Who is it that you desire so?"

"My business is with Orochimaru."

"I see." Kabuto smirked. "Follow me then."

Sasuke followed Kabuto toward the building before them. A feeling of unease overcame him before stepping through the entryway. He was about to face the man who had cursed his life and ask a favor of him without knowing what the outcome will be. Warm, moist air from within quickly warmed his chilled body. The fair sized room was well fogged over and dimly lit. It was at that moment Sasuke realized he was in a bathhouse.

"Orochimaru-sama." Kabuto remove his glasses and wiped them off. "We have a guest."

The sound of disturbed water echoed in the room. Sasuke caught sight of someone in the water approaching them. He quickly averted his eyes as the man rose from the water. A familiar amused laugh filled the room along with the sound of fabric rustling. Footsteps approached him until it was obvious Orochimaru stood before him.

"So you have finally come to me, Sasuke-kun." Cool fingers took hold of his chin, demanding he face their owner. Sasuke found himself unable to fight the man, and looked him in the eye. Those golden eyes stared at him in satisfaction. "You have grown well, so lovely."

"Sasuke-kun has come with a proposition for you, Orochimaru-sama."

"A proposition?" His thumb traced Sasuke's jaw, his eyes were still locked with the corrupt ones staring back.

There was a gleam in the older mans eyes that made Sasuke feel uncomfortable, his touch made the young Uchicha's skin sting. He could feel the seal start to burn. Sasuke wanted to pull away, to stand his ground and make it clear what he wanted of the man, that he wasn't there to obtain the power needed to defeat Itachi, and that rectifying a mistake was more important at the moment, but he found himself frozen in place.

"He wants to resurrect the dead." Kabuto's voice carried a serious tone.

Orochimaru's fingers left his face, finally giving Sasuke a chance to step back. The seal scorched his skin as it quickly spread across his body causing Sasuke to hiss in pain and clench his neck.

"Who could possibly have that much meaning to you?" Orochimaru smirked. "Perhaps that young pink-haired Genin?

Sasuke's hand tightened on is neck as the pain increased. What in the world did Orochimaru do to him? He was unable to keep himself from collapsing to his knees. He braced himself with his left hand to keep from falling forward, the pain was starting to overwhelm him. His eyes widened in shock as he watched the black patterns of the curse spread across his hand. He clenched his eyes shut and remembered why he had journeyed this far.

A flash of Naruto appeared in his mind, of the boy who loved Ramen and had a dream....

The blonde had become so much more then a friend to him. Questionable feelings would arouse in him, ones that he was completely unsure what they were.... until the number one loudest ninja in Konoha had been silenced.

He had to do this, he had to correct the mistake he made no matter the cost. That was how much the blonde meant to him, how much he... valued him. "Naruto..." Sasuke finally gasped out.

"Naruto-kun?" Kabuto spoke in disbelief. "How?"

Sasuke took a few deep breaths before finally speaking. It was still hard to admit what he had done. "He died by my hand." That did it, it was all that needed to be said before Orochimaru broke into laughter.

Sasuke looked up, glaring at the older man. Fighting against the pain he stood up on unsteady legs. He was determined, no matter what, to get the crooked man to agree with his demand.

Naruto had made it clear as to why Orochimaru truly wanted him, a "container" Naruto had said Orochimaru's henchmen had called him. The thought of Orochimaru being in control of his body, his own soul repressed, was not a pleasing thought, but he owed it to Naruto. He owed everything he had to bring the light back to everyone's lives, even if he would never see the face that he so badly wanted to see again. "Correct my mistake and I will stand by your side. I will give myself freely to be your container."

The snake's laughter stopped, a twisted smile broke his pale face. "Your word."

"Upon my families honor."

A small moment of silence consumed them "Kabuto, show Sasuke-kun a place where he could rest until I am prepared."

"But Orochimaru-sama... the Kyuubi."

Sasuke perked up at the word, what did the Kyuubi have to do with this? He watched the two men stare at each other, there seemed to be some sort of silent argument between the two of them before Kabuto finally backed down.

"As you wish, I will return to help you prepare."

Sasuke was in a daze as Kabuto helped him to a small room in the bathhouse. He sat upon the floor, trembling in pain, but was satisfied he got Orochimaru to agree. But he knew deep down inside the snake could very well deceive him. He had to gather his strength and be prepared to fight to the death if he needed to do so.

A.N. I feel almost rotten for cutting it off here... next chapter will come a heck of a lot sooner then this one. Promise