Warnings: Orochimaru PoV. Uh. Creepiness. Ambiguous parts. Old-style speech.
Please be patient for some answers...they will come in the next chapter. Ask then if you want others answered? I'm not perfect; I miss stuff. That, and I'm recovering from Evil Illness, so please tell me if I did anything stupid...I'm still kinda woozy.
Disclaimer: I own no Naruto charas.

Reach.
a wonderfully
pretty
tale of falling higher and
rising
lower yet.

Chapter Seven, Orochimaru...by Taes.

I smile lightly and my lips pull into a thin line. Time passes swiftly, in the Eighth Heaven. I lean against the rounded walls that I've constructed, waiting patiently for the newest addition to a humble collection of devout followers.

I do not wait long.

I never do.

Like a wolf running lightly on padded feet, the aspect of vengeance and bloodshed appears before me. His hair is long, his eyes shifting. The young Seraphim has gone to the Heaven to Hell Organization, on Sasori-dear's command, and there he has received my Call.

So he has come.

He always will.

I chuckle to myself and touch soft fingers to my cheek. The action is a subtle one, a welcome one, and something to keep my mind's thoughts in check.

...but...

ahhh, sweet and supple, the skin of young and unaging angels…He takes a shuddering breath, but he does not smile at me. For no angel should so offend my golden orbs. Indeed, his eyes are as heavy and worried as a small child's...a kit fearful of a snakebite.

In the Heavens, sweet listener, snakes are fearful indeed.

"Sasuke," I tilt my head and speak—without abandoning the slight smile. "Whatever is the matter, dear?" I reach out to encase his face in two pale, long hands. "Good child."

I touch the ends of my teeth with my long tongue. It is a habit that will not leave me, I'm afraid, after all these years.

Well, I roll my head skyward, a snake in the sun. The inclination to give in is not a wholly unpleasant reminder...

"Sasuke." I urge, quiet purrs and lilting, graceful words aside. With one finger, I trace the fine, desirable curve of his cheek.

Once again, the angel does not remove himself.

Finally, his proud, shapely eyes drop.

A warm chuckle builds in my throat, and the air around me takes on a deep amethyst hue. The warm air chills, and my hands drop with it.

"Lord Orochimaru…" his voice trembles and I see dreams shatter within his soft, supple mouth of crimson shades. "I should like to formally request the termination of the Reality-bound" Earth based, "mission." He swallows and his delicate shoulders quake with emotion.

What is this? Does the pride of Fury tremble?

If his eyes were lifted, I would undoubtedly see crystalline tears gather in obsidian eyes, and watch them fall down ivory cheeks. Perhaps it is best he showeth not his eyes, for I should not be able to control my thirsting tongue from so attractive a drink.

Yes indeed, the Furies' darling is in pain...

My icy hands travel to his long, dark hair, and I relish the silky feel of it.

"Saaa," I breathe. "Tell me what you have learned." I should wonder. What may turn aside so dedicated an angel? What knowledge has he stumbled across, to be brought to tears? My hand on his head shakes with the thought of it.

...what may I, the humble Voice of the One, gain from his findings?

How many new, wonderful techniques might I devise?

My tongue thirsts for it, my hands want for it. The knowledge only experience brings.

At last, he speaks. The sound takes me by surprise for only an instant. "I take fear of demon influence on my heart." Sasuke's voice is strong, now, and he hastily wipes all liquid from his face.

I nod coolly. My golden eyes urge him on, when my tongue may not convey the words.

He paces the circular confines, and I, sensing his discomfort, graciously widen the space. For his part, Sasuke only nods in a quiet sort of manner.

I wait, knowing that even the bravest mouse may only travel so far.

Perhaps he is in want of bait.

"Fear not, son of God." I roll my neck, and when I face him again, my golden eyes are white. We begin to speak. "You were brought forth in compliance to Our wishes, and you will not leave the realms until We so choose."

The Presence leaves me just as soon as it came, but the small angel is quieted. His fears are dulled, and I sense he is ready to speak.

"Tell of your Knowledge." I bid him.

I smile.

He must comply. So his tongue wets soft, sweet lips, and he quietly clears his throat.

What mannerisms! He has learned much from mankind, indeed…

"Milord," he offers a twitch of a smile where others would have bowed, and my mirth grows. I can tell he sees not my angelic shape, but something else altogether. His eyes are misted and his smile a touch...off.

"My child." I laugh with the grace of the star's dying wish. I stroke his cheek, feel his hair between my fingers.

Alas, my dear ne has gained the human habit of stalling for time...as if he had not enough of the stuff. "You know of mankind's vices and gifts, milord Orochimaru." He breathes. "You know their ways better than any, and you have the blessed Presence upon you."

I shake my head. "And yet you refuse to comply with my wishes." I purr gently, and a low laugh gathers in the pit of my stomach.

Sasuke touches his hand to his cheek, a perfect visage of despair. "I have met the half-demon, Naruto." His voice quakes. "I have tasted his lips on mine," his voice quickens, his heart leaps.

I hear it all.

I smile still.

"And I fear the Fall many have taken for want of such things!" he is shouting, his strong voice taking the edge of Fire and Light...the gifts Vengeance's Furies must have. His eyes have gone stony, his disposition, harsh.

My sweet, loving child has left for the while.

I lift one hand before him, and gently touch it to his smoldering eyes. I can feel the heat coming from him, I can taste the anguish, the fury on his skin. It is sour and salty, a great mix of sweat and emotion. His heart is lost to him, and he feels many things. "Sweet child." I murmur. "See not the images your eyes feed you."

He flinches at the thought.

"Taste the truth on your tongue."

Sasuke's mouth closes; his red, red tongue falls behind white teeth first, and that pearlen gate is masked by soft, firm lips.

"Find the heavenly touch at your fingertips."

His fists close, and long, graceful fingers touch close together in a gesture of strength. He puts his hands to where the base of the head meets neck, and he rocks, slowly.

"Search these, and you will find it." I laugh, quietly, gently, and the confines of our room disappear altogether.

In the Eighth Heaven, I am the Will of all. My wishes shape the land, to a whim. It is as nothing, for me to reshape the realm for my dear Sasuke's comfort. For his aching head, I give him a sky, perfectly blue, and for his tired feet, I give him soft grass.

For his wings, a soft, mellow wind.

"No love born of demon magic is pure, Sasuke." I assure him. My speech is ancient, my eyes a glimmer of gold only. This Seraph, this Sasuke, he must know I speak True. "No affection born of desire—lust—is God given." I trace a pattern on his cheek. "Take my advice, and find its answer." I murmur. I touch his lips with my fingers and open his fist to show a warm palm.

At the edge of my realm, I can begin to See it. I sense two spirits of great power coming forth.

My leisure is well spent, I can tell. My words have not been wasted. "God is with you, angel." I call, but he is farther off than I imagined.

He has gone to the dreamweaver, my disciple, and Sasuke wanders the paths of hope.

I leave the boy to his strange, twisted path, and turn my mind to the coming two. I open my wings to them.

The angels of death come to me.

One of light, and one of darkness, long Fallen.

Itachi.

My lips twitch.

Sammael.

They will wish they'd never heard the news I am to give them…these takers of souls, the great angels of mighty wings and strength unmatched.

I laugh.

Neither, I muse, will Sasuke.

I take to the air. My golden eyes become the sun and the moon of this plane, and I watch as the two winged ones close in on my Dreaming form. Sasuke hears a Call...a cry from afar, touching deep in his heart.

Vengeance, child.

Your Call is only for Vengeance.


(tbc...soon-ish...I'm still sick, though...so no real promises...)